THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

DAVIS 


h 


STATE  OF  CALIFORNIA 
DEPARTMENT  OF  PUBLIC  WORKS 

DIMSIONS  OF  ENGINEERING  AND  IRRIGATION  AND 

OF  WATER  RIGHTS 

BULLETIN  No.  11  /^  ^ 

Ground  Water  Resources 

of  the  Southern  San 

Joaquin  Valley 


By 

S.  T.  HARDING 

Consulting  Irrigation  Engineer 


CALli'ORNlA  STATi;  PRINTING  OFFICE 

CHAHLKS  A.  WHITMORE,   State  I'llnter 

SACRAMENTO,  1927 

'^'''^  LIBRARY 

UNlVERSilY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
DAVIS 


I 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Page 

CHAPTER  I.      INTRODUCTION  AND   SUMMARY 7 

Introduction "^ 

Summary   of   Main    Report 12 

Summary  of  Chapter  III — Ground  Water  in  Kings  River  Area 14 

Summary  of  Chapter  IV — Ground  Water  in  Tulare  County  Areas IT 

Kaweah   River   Areas 1" 

Areas  Dependent  on  Tule  River 19 

Deer  Creek  Area 20 

White  Creek  Area 20 

Summary  of  Chapter  V — Ground  Water  in  Kern  County  Areas 20 

CHAPTER  II.      GENERAL   DESCRIPTION    OF    SOUTHERN    SAN    JOAQUIN 

VALLEY    23 

Data  Available  on  Ground  Water 23 

Maps  Delineating  Ground  Water  Conditions : 24 

General  Ground  Water  Conditions 27 

Ground  Water  as  a  Source  of  Irrigation  Supply 27 

('limate 28 

Soils 28 

Water   Supply ; 28 

U!=!e  of  Surface  Water  Supply 30 

Areas    Irrigated 30 

Value  of  Agricultm-al  Products 32 

Geologj' 32 

Quality  of  Ground  Waters 34 

CHAPTER  III.      GROUND  WATER  IN  KINGS  RIVER  AREA 37 

Growth  of  Pumping  from  Ground  Water 39 

Methods  of  Analysis  of  Ground  Water  Conditions 40 

Ground  Water  in  the  Fresno  Irrigation  District 42 

Ground  Water  Fluctuations  from  December  1  to  March  1 45 

Ground  "^'ater  Fluctuations  Mirch  1  to  December  1 47 

Ground  Water  in  the  Consolidated  Irrigation  District.. 56 

Ground  Water  Fluctuations  December  1  to  March  1 57 

Ground  "Water  Fluctuations  March  1  to  December  1 57 

Ground  Water  in  Laguna  Irrigation  District 62 

Ground  Water  in  Riverdale  Irrigation  District 62 

Ground  Water  Supplies  in  Kings  River  Areas  not  Directly  Served  by  Canals —  63 

Ground  Water  in  Foothill  Irrigation  District 66 

Ground  Water  in  the  Alta  Irrigation  District 67 

Ground  Water  Fluctuations  from  December  1  to  March  1 67 

Ground  Water  Fluctuations  March  1  to  December  1 ; 68 

Ground  Water  in  Area  Under  Kings  County  Canals 73 

Lemoore  Canal  Area 74 

Last  Chance  Area 75 

People's   Ditch    Area . 75 

Ground  Water  in  Valley  Trough  Areas  Along  North  Side  Channels  of  Kings 

River 76 

Cuthbert-Burrell    Area 76 

Stinson  Irrigation  District 77 

Crescent   Irrigation    District ' 77 

.James    Irrigation    District 77 

Summary    78 

Grcjund  Water  in  the  West  Side  Area  from  Tulare  Lake  to  Mendota 79 

Ground  Water  in  the  Tulare  Lake  Area 80 


CONTENTS— Continued. 

Page 

CHAPTER  IV.      GROUND  WATER  IN  TULARE  COUNTY  AREAS 83 

Ground  Water  in  Kaweah  River  Areas 84 

•  Ground  Water  in  the  Main  Area  of  Kaweah  Delta  Covered  by  Canals  Divert- 
ing for  Land.s  Below  Venice  Hills 88 

Ground  Water  in  the  Areas  Covered  by  Canals  Diverting  for  Lands  Mainly 

Above  Venice  Hills 92 

Ground  Water  in  the  Area  West  of  Lindsay-Strathmore  Irrigation  District 

Toward  Which  Ground  W^ater  Slojies  from  Kaweah  Delta 9:! 

Ground    Water    in    the    Area    of    Lower    Kaweah    Delta    Outside    of    Areas 

Covered   by   Canals 9"> 

riround  Water  in  the  Area  of  Lindsay-Strathmore  Irrigation  District 9(> 

Ground  Water  in  Areas  Dependent  on  Tule  River  for  Their  Water  Supply !tG 

Ground  Water  in  Main  Tule  River  Area  Including  the  Areas  Within  Which 

Some  Lands  Receive  Canal  Irrigation  from  Tule  River OS 

Ground  Water  in  Area  on  North  of  Tule  River  Delta 102 

(iround  Water  in  South  Tule  Area lO.T 

Ground  Water  in  Outer  Tule  River  Area 10:! 

Ground  Water  in  Deer  Creek  Area —  107 

Ground  Water  in  White  Creek  Area 110 

CHAPTER  V.  GROUND  WATER  IN  KERN  COUNTY  AREAS 115 

Rates  of  Pumping  Draft 115 

Ground  Water  in  Area  Above  the  East  Side  Canal 116 

Ground  Water  in  East  Side  Canal  Area 121 

Ground  Water  in  Main  Canal  Area  South  of  Kern  River 124 

Ground  Water  in  Areas  North  of  Kern  River 125 

Ground  Water  in  Rosedale  Area 125 

Ground  Water  in  Shatter,  Wasco  and  McFarland  Area 131 

Ground  Water  in  Northern  Kern  County  Area 142 

Ground  Water  in  Pioneer  Canal  Area 142 

Ground  Water  in  Valley  Trough  Areas  South  of  Tnlare  Lake 14:! 


I 


LIST  OF  FIGURES. 


Page 

Fig.    1.    Growth  in  u.«c  of  power  by  agriculture  for  pumning  In  Dinuba,  Fresno 

and  Selma  Districts  of  San  Joaquin  Light  and  Power  Corporation 38 

Fig.     2.    Comparison    of    ground    water    levels    1907-1926    in    Fresno    Irrigation 

District    "^^ 

Fig.  n.  Relation  of  change  in  level  of  ground  water  during  December,  January 
and  February  to  rainfall  during  the  same  months  in  Fresno  Irrigation 
District    ""' 

]<'ig.     1.    Relation  of  volume  of  water  diverted  by  canals  to  change  in  level   of 

ground  w;iter  in  areas  under  canals  in  Fre.sno  Irrigation  District IS 

Fig.    ."■.    Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  in  Fresno  Irrigation  District 52 

Fig.  (■>.  Relation  of  change  in  level  of  ground  water  during  December,  January 
and  February  to  the  rainfall  during  the  same  months  in  the  Consoli- 
dated  Irrigation   District ^'^ 

Fig.    7.    Relation  of  volume  of  water  diverted  by  canals  to  change  in  level  of 

ground  water  in  areas  under  canals  in  Consolidated  Irrigation  District-        .''>;i 

Fig.    S.    Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  in  Consolidated  Irrigation  District CO 

Fig.  "J.  Change  in  level  of  ground  water  since  November,  1921,  in  shallow  w^ells 
of  James  Irrigation  District  and  wells  in  adjacent  areas  in  the  Fresno 
Irrigation   District    *' ' 

Fig.  10.  Relation  of  change  in  level  of  ground  water  during  December,  January 
and  February  to  the  rainfall  during  the  same  months  in  the  Alta  Irriga- 
tion District ''^ 

Fig.  11.  Relation  of  volume  of  water  applied  in  irrigation  to  change  in  level  of 
ground  water  during  period  March  1  to  December  1,  in  areas  in  Alta 
Irrigation   District   70 


9 


Fig.  12.    Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  in  Alta  Irrigation  District 

Fig.  13.    Relation  between  canal  diversions  and  change  in  level  of  ground  water 

in  Lemoore  Irrigation  District  In  1925 75 

Fig.  14.    Relation  of  canal  diversion  to  change  in  level  of  ground  water  in  area 

.sei-ved  by  Last  Chance  Canal  in  1925 70 

Fig.  15.    Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  in  main  area  of  Kaweah  Delta 90 

Fig.  16.    Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  in  outer  areas  of  Kaweah  Delta 94 

Fig.  ]7.    Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  in  Main  Tule  River  Area 10<t 

Fig.  IS.    Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  in  outer  Tule  River  Area 104 

Fig.  19.    Hydrograi>hs  of  typical  wells  in  Deer  Creek  Area 108 

Fig.  20.    Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  in  White  Creek  Area 112 

Fig.  21.    Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  in  the  area  above  the  Bast  Side  Canal__  118 

Fig.  22.    Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  under  East  Side  Canal 122 

Fig.  23.    Hydrographs  of  typical  shallow  wells  in  main  area  south  of  Kern  River  126 

Fig.  24.    Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  in  the  Rosedale  Area 127 

Fig.  25.    Relation  of  water  applied  in  irrigation  from  Isoth  canals  and  wells   to 

change  in  level  of  ground  water  in  Rosedale  Area I'I'i 

Fig.  26.    Relation  of  water  applied  in   irrigation  from  both  canals  and  wells   to 

change    in    level    of    grf>und    water    in    Shatter,    Wasco    and    McFarland 

Areas 135 

I'^ig.  27.    Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  in  Shafter  and  Wasco  Areas 138 

Fig.  28.    Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  in  McFarland  Area 14  0 

Fig.  29.    Hydrographs  of  tyiiical  wells  in  Goose  Lake  Slough  and  Buttonwillow 

Areas 144 

LIST  OF  MAPS. 

Map       1.      Ground  water  contour.s,  U.  S.  G.  S.  datum,  as  of  October,   1925,   in 

southern   San  Joaquin  Valley In  pocket 

Map     II.     Depth    of   ground    water,    as   of    October,    1925,    in    southern    San 

.loaquin  Valley In  pocket 

Map  III.     Lowering  of  ground  water  for  the  five-year  period   1920-1925    in 

.southern  San  Joaquin  Valley In  pocket 


,1 


CHAPTER  I. 
INTRODUCTION  AND  SUMMARY. 

Introduction. 

The  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley,  as  the  term  is  used  in  this  report, 
includes  the  portion  of  the  San  Joa(iuin  Valley  from  the  San  Joaquin 
River  south.  The  availalile  local  surface  and  underground  water 
supplies  are  more  completely  utilized  in  this  area  than  in  other  parts 
of  the  San  Joaquin  or  Sacramento  valleys.  The  rapid  increase  in  the 
pumping-  of  ground  water  in  recent  years  makes  it  desirable  to  con- 
sider the  extent  of  the  ground  water  supply. 

Most  of  the  Southern  San  Joaciuin  A^alley  is  underlaid  by  ground 
water  within  depths  which  make  pumping  profitable.  The  data 
assembled  for  this  report  shows  that  of  the  total  area  of  1,370,000 
acres  irrigated  in  this  area,  800,000  acres  secure  all  or  part  of  their 
water  sujiply  by  pumping  from  wells.  For  about  400,000  acres  the 
entire  irrigation  supply  is  secured  from  wells,  for  the  remaining  400,000 
acres  the  pumping  supplements  supplies  secured  from  canals. 

The  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley  represents  one  of  the  most  liighly 
(levelopi^d  agricultural  sections  in  the  state.  The  area  irrigated  is  over 
one-fourth  of  the  total  for  the  state.  The  value  of  the  agricultural 
products  is  probably  an  even  larger  proportion  of  the  total  value  of 
irrigated  crops.  All  classes  of  irrigation  practice  are  represented, 
varying  from  citrus,  vineyards,  deciduous  orchards,  melons,  lettuce, 
cotton  and  cereals  to  the  crude  flooding  of  pasturage.  Owing  to  the 
limited  rainfall  in  the  valley  areas  practically  all  agriculture  depends 
on  irrigation,  dry  farming  being  limited  in  extent  and  uncertain  in 
results. 

The  gross  area  of  valley  lands  in  the  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley 
is  4,000,000  acres.  There  is  in  addition  abovit  350,000  acres  of  adjacent 
higher  i)lains  areas  suited  to  irrigation  if  water  can  be  made  available. 
Present  irrigation  represents  less  than  one-half  of  the  valley  land  of 
a  quality  suited  for  irrigation.  AVitli  the  available  local  sources  of 
Avater  supply  very  largely  utilized  for  the  irrigation  of  present  areas, 
the  importance  of  detailed  study  of  the  present  use  and  the  opportuni- 
ties for  increased  use  is  apparent.  The  complete  use  of  surface  sources 
of  supply  is  being  planned  where  opportunities  for  additional  develop- 
ment, largely  through  storage,  occur.  This  report  is  limited  to  a  con- 
sideration of  ground  water  supplies  and  use  as  the  full  utilization  of 
such  supplies  is  as  desirable  as  is  the  use  of  the  surface  streams.  How- 
ever, while  all  increases  in  use  for  which  local  ground  water  supplies 
are  available  is  desirable,  it  is  equally  desirable  that  additional  develop- 
ment should  not  be  undertaken  unless  a  water  supply  for  its  permanent 
support  is  available. 

Canal  irrigation  l)egan  over  fifty  years  ago;  i)umi)ing  is  a  relatively 
recent  development.  In  the  earlier  period  of  use  of  ground  water 
little  effect  on  the  ground  water  elevation  was  noticed  as  the  draft 
was  small  in  proportion  to  the  total  areas  affected.  In  recent  years 
the  lowering  of  the  griumd  water  in  some  parts  of  the  area  has  become 
serious  and  doubts  have  arisen  regarding  the  permanence  of  the  supply. 


8  Departnienl  of  Public  Works. 

This  iTpoi-t  is  tlic  result  of  an  eft'oi-t  to  detorinine  the  relation  of  present 
use  to  the  available  supply. 

Gi-ound  Avater  supplies  are  local  in  character.  The  pjreater  portion 
of  this  i-eport  consists  of  a  detailed  discussion  of  the  ground  water  con- 
ditions in  the  different  parts  of  the  area.  Kuch  discussions  are  based 
on  the  available  ground  Avater  records  Avlilcli  cover  periods  varying 
from  one  to  six  years  iji  the  different  parts  of  the  area.  The  ])resent 
discussions  are  of  the  nature  of  a  progress  report  and  any  conclusions 
expressed  are  necessarily  subject  to  modification  as  records  covering 
longer  ]ieriods  of  time  become  available.  Well  measurements  should 
be  continued  and  extended  so  that  sufficient  data  may  be  accumulated 
for  draAving  final  conclusions.  It  is  considered  that  the  general  eon- 
elusions  stated  are  ade<|uately  suj)ported  by  the  present  records.  Fuj'ther 
experience  may  result  in  changes  in  some  of  the  details  of  the  conclu- 
sions regai'diufiT  local  areas.  The  extent  of  the  dependeiice  on  the  use  of 
ground  AvattM"  in  this  area  makes  it  essential  that  the  collection  of  ade- 
quate records  be  continued  in  ordei-  that  the  effects  of  present  use  may 
be  observed  and  tlie  limits  of  feasible  deA^elopment  more  definitely 
detei-mined. 

AVhile  ground  Avatei-  may  extend  generally  under  relatively  large 
areas,  it  moA'es  slowly  and  the  replacement  of  Avater  that  has  been 
removed  by  pumping  takes  place  similarly  sloAAdy  unless  streams  or 
canals  are  close  at  hand.  It  is  because  of  these  conditions  that  a  com- 
parison of  the  average  sujiply  available  and  the  total  draft  for  a  large 
area  gives  little  indication  of  the  conditions  in  different  parts  of  the 
area.  The  greater  portion  of  this  report  rei)resents  an  effort  to  present 
the  local  conditions  in  the  different  parts  of  the  Southern  San  Joa(piin 
A^alley.  Tn  this  introduction  it  is  only  desired  to  present  the  conclu- 
sions reaclied.  The  support  for  the  stalonents  made  Avill  be  found  in 
the  detail  di.scussion  in  the  main  portions  of  the  report  and  is  not 
i"ei)eated  here. 

The  total  mean  annual  stream  fiow  tributary  to  the  Southern  San 
Joa<|uin  Valley  is  .'^.^JOO.QOO  acre-feet.  Th(^  ])resent  irrigation  develop- 
ment from  both  canals  and  pumping  represents  one  acre  irrigated  for 
each  2.4  acre-feet  of  mean  annual  Avater  supply.  This  is  a  more  com- 
]>lete  use  of  local  Avatei-  su])plies  than  is  found  in  any  other  similarly 
large  part  of  the  San  Joaquin  or  Sacramento  valleys.  The  only 
local  Avater  supplies  unused  in  the  Southern  San  Joaciuin  Valley 
are  the  excess  stream  fioAv  in  years  of  more  than  normal  precipitation. 
There  has  been  practically  no  unused  run-off  from  1923  to  1925,  inclu- 
sive. Only  about  fifteen  per  cent  of  the  total  aA'erage  run-off  now 
escapes  from  this  area  through  the  San  Joaquin  River  or  is  lost  as 
excess  cA^aporation  from  Tulare  Lake.  Plans  are  being  made  for  works 
AA-hich  Avill  result  in  the  use  of  much  of  this  excess.  Practically  all 
water  that  can  be  used  Avithout  storage  has  been  and  is  being  utilized 
for  some  type  of  irrigation.  The  area  as  a  whole  has  been  and  is 
utilizing  its  locally  available  supplies.  Further  development  will  be 
as  largely  by  imjirovements  in  present  ])ractices  as  it  Avill  be  by  the 
additional  use  of  local  supplies  now  unused.  Local  supplies  can  never 
supply  the  aA'ailable  irrigable  area  as  the  total  locally  tributary  mean 
annual  streaiu  Aoav  is  less  than  one  acre-foot  per  acre  of  irrigable  land. 


Ground   ^Yat€r  Kcsoi<rccs,  S(ji(lli<rn   San  Joaquin  Valley.         9 

Tliis  is  a  scant  liali"  of  the  supply  rcipiired  for  the  full  development 
of  the  area. 

Of  the  total  area  of  800,000  acres  now  reeeivinp:  entire  or  partial 
prround  Avater  supplies,  an  area  of  about  180,000  acres  is  considered  to 
i)e  supplied  from  ground  water  sources  where  the  extent  of  the  present 
(li-aft  exceeds  the  average  rate  of  replenishment  of  the  supply.  This 
ar(>a  is  the  sum  of  smaller  areas  in  different  parts  of  the  Southern  San 
Joa(|uin  Valley  and  is  all  in  areas  outside  of  those  receiving  canal 
service.  Further  increase  in  pumping  will  result  in  an  extension  of 
these  conditions  to  other  areas  as  only  a  portion  of  their  gross  area 
is  now  irrigaterl.  An  attempt  to  iri-igate  additional  lan.ds  hy  pumping 
in  many  areas  now' partially  served  by  canals  will  result  in  some  cases 
in  a  draft  in  excess  of  the  supply  with  a  consequent  progressive  ground 
Avater  lowering. 

Much  of  the  area  of  180.000  acres  which  it  is  considered  is  drawing 
ou  its  ground  waters  at  a  rate  in  excess  of  its  supply  has  possible 
means  of  relieving  this  condition  by  changes  in  the  present  use  of  the 
local  stream  flow.  These  consist  of  areas  where  by  storage  or  transfers 
in  place  of  use  of  present  canal  diversions,  water  may  be  made  available 
from  canals  to  replace  present  pumping  directly  or  where  the  irrigation 
by  canals  of  new  areas  will  make  available  additional  ground  water 
sup])lies  for  present  pumping.  Such  means  may  relieve  the  present 
ovei'draft  in  about  one-half  of  this  area  of  180.000  acres. 

From  one-half  to  two-thirds  of  the  area  of  overdraft  is  pumping 
fi'om  wells  that  are  distant  from  active  local  sources  of  ground  water 
replenishment  or  in  areas  where  local  supplies  are  already  overtaxed. 
Only  continued  lowering  of  the  ground  water  can  be  expected  in  such 
areas  if  present  conditions  of  use  and  supply  continue.  These  areas  are 
not  confined  to  any  one  part  of  the  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley  but 
occur  on  both  the  east  and  west  sides  of  the  valley  and  in  each  of 
the  tliree  main  divisions  discussed,  nameh%  the  Kings  River  areas, 
Tulai-c  County  and  Kern  County.  In  some  areas  distant  from  local 
streams  of  arie(|uate  size  tlie  irrigation  of  only  a  small  per  cent  of 
the  gross  irrigable  area  has  resulted  in  progressive  ground  water 
lowering.  Other  areas  are  above  the  lands  to  which  the  streams'  flow 
is  diverted  and  in  consequence  receive  a  limited  replenishment  which 
has  already  been -drawn  upon  in  excess  of  its  extent. 

Due  to  the  large  areas  of  irrigable  land  not  now  developed  much 
opportunity  for  additional  pumping  exists  in  nearly  all  areas.  In 
the  areas  already  overdeveloped  much  good  land  remains  on  which 
the  owners  may  drill  wells  and  secure  satisfactory  rates  of  discharge. 
Under  the  system  of  rights  to  the  use  of  ground  water  now  in  use  in 
California  each  overlying  land  owner  has  an  equal  right  to  secure 
ground  water  in  proportion  to  his  needs.  Additional  development 
would  only  result  in  an  increase  in  the  rate  of  lowering.  Such  addi- 
tional development  has  occurred  in  the  past  whenever  the  prospect  of 
favorable  crop  prices  has  resulted  in  an  increased  demand  for  irrigated 
land.  The  extent  of  the  ])ossi]ile  increased  draft  with  its  unfavorable 
effect  on  those  now  pumping  in  areas  of  present  overdraft  is  apparent 
when  it  is  realized  that  in  several  of  these  areas,  the  pumping  for  less 
than  one-fourth  of  the  gross  irrigable  area  has  resulted  in  a  draft  in 


10  Department  of  PnhJic  Worls. 

excess  of  the  supply.  In  some  areas  now  receiving  canal  service  the 
extent  of  the  combined  canal  and  gronnd  water  supplies  is  only  sufficient 
for  the  irrigation  of  about  one-half  of  the  gross  irrigable  area  atfected. 
The  attempt  to  irrigate  the  remainder  of  these  areas  would  result  in 
similar  conditions  of  overdraft. 

Much  misunderstanding  has  been  found  in  regard  to  the  relation  of 
the  discharge  of  individual  Avells  and  the  general  conditions  of  ground 
water  supply  and  draft  in  an  area  a.s  a  whole.  Because  wells  can  be 
drilled  from  which  a  good  rate  of  flow  can  be  obtained  does  not  mean 
that  the  ground  water  supply  is  ample  or  that  it  will  maintain  its  level 
under  continued  use.  The  discharge  of  a  well  depends  upon  the  char- 
acter of  the  materials  which  it  {Jenetrates.  If  such  materials  are  coarse 
and  freely  water  yielding,  a  relatively  large  discharge  may  be  secured 
with  a  small  amount  of  drawdown  while  pumping.  The  amount  of 
water  that  can  he  drawn  from  a  well  while  pumping  is  not  a  measure 
of  the  amount  of  water  that  moves  into  the  area  from  Avhatever  sources 
of  supply  may  be  tributary  to  that  area.  To  install  pumps  having  a 
total  capacity  in  excess  of  the  average  rate  of  replenishment  can  only 
moan  a  depletion  of  the  accumulated  ground  water  within  the  area. 

When  the  pumping  draft  in  any  area  exceeds  the  average  ground 
water  supply,  the  draft  in  excess  of  the  supply  is  taken  from  the 
ground  water  accumulation  under  the  area.  This  results  in  the  lower- 
ing of  the  ground  water,  the  increase  in  pumping  lift  and  costs  and 
the  replacement  of  the  original  pumping  e(|uipment  by  types  of  pumps 
adapted  to  use  under  the  increased  lift.  The  lowering  increases  both 
the  investment  in  pumping  equipment  and  the  costs  of  operation.  If 
such  lowering  continues,  the  inci-ease  in  the  pumping  lift  will  eventuall}' 
become  so  large  that  there  is  no  longer  a  iJrofit  from  pumping.  The 
time  required  for  this  condition  to  be  reached  depends  on  the  original 
depth  to  ground  water,  the  rate  of  lowering  and  the  profit  from  the 
use  of  Avater.  Fortunately  nuich  of  the  area  in  the  Southern  San 
Joaquin  Valley  had  ground  water  at  shallow  depths  before  pumping 
began  so  that  relatively  large  amounts  of  lowering  may  occur  before 
pumping  becomes  unprofitable.  However,  the  lowering  has,  in  some 
areas,  already  been  sufficient  so  tliat  little  profit  remains  from  pumping 
for  crops  of  lower  value. 

If  overdraft  continues,  the  resulting  lowerinu'  will  cause  a  grad- 
ual decrease  in  pumping  as  the  less  efficient  and  more  expensive 
])lants  cease  to  be  profitable.  Such  a  process  will  eventually  result 
in  the  survival  of  the  fittest  with  a  draft  reduced  to  Avhat  the  available 
supply  can  support.  IIoAvever.  the  path  to  this  result  is  strewn  with  the 
wreckage  of  the  farms  and  homes  of  those  who  attempted  development 
and  could  not  survive.  Even  the  survivors  gain  little  beyond  mere 
existence  as  the  ground  water  is  lowered  to  a  point  where  little  profit 
in  its  use  remains.  Fully  as  large  })ermanent  usefulness  from  a  ground 
water  supply  could  be  gained  by  limiting  the  draft  to  the  amounts  which 
the  available  supi)ly  could  maintain  without  overdraft  and  lowering. 
Such  a  limited  draft  would  enable  all  pumping  to  be  practiced  with 
smaller  lifts  and  greater  profit.  Under  our  existing  principles  of 
rights  to  the  use  of  ground  water  wlun'e  each  owner  of  land  overlying 
a  source  of  gi-ound  water  sup])ly  has  an  e(|ual  right  to  participate  in 
its  use,  there   is  no  means   by   Avhieli   the  draft  can  be  limited  to  the 


(Iroioid    Wairr   h'csoiirccs.   Hoiilhrrn    So))   Joaquin   Valley.       11 

supply,  as  in  all  areas  in  llic  Soutlicni  San  Joacpiin  Valley  outside  of 
some  of  those  served  by  canals  the  <ii-()iin(l  water  is  insufiicient  to  supply 
all  of  the  overlyino'  areas. 

The  ahove  ])ieture  of  the  results  of  overdraft  on  a  ground  water 
supply  is  not  a  faneiful  one.  It  has  occurred  in  other  areas  in  this  state 
and  is  heg-inniiig  to  occur  in  parts  of  this  ai'ca.  With  the  loAvering  that 
has  occurred  in  some  areas,  the  lift  has  approached  a  point  where  little 
profit  remains  in  crops  of  larger  use  and  lower  value.  While  on  the 
whole  an  increase  in  numl)ers  of  plants  and  use  is  continuing  in  this 
area,  in  some  portions  some  plants  operating  in  previous  years  were  not 
operated  in  ]92r).  AVith  many  plants  facing  the  expense  of  changing 
the  type  of  pumj)  used,  aliandonraent  of  operation  can  be  anticipated 
in  additional  cases.  If  the  present  extent  of  use  is  continued  the 
records  now  avaihible  indicate  that  an  area  now  developed  of  about 
100.000  acres  will  eventually  revert  to  waste  land.  The  time  w'hen 
this  condition  will  be  reached  can  not  be  predicted  with  any  definite- 
ness,  as  such  a  prediction  includes  the  elements  of  value  of  the  crops 
groAvn  as  well  as  the  rate  of  ground  water  lowering.  It  is  being 
approached  now  in  the  least  favorably  situated  parts  of  the  area ;  it 
will  be  a  matter  of  many  years  in  the  more  favoral)le  areas  where  the 
rate  of  overdraft  is  small. 

.Ground  water  supplies  are  like  surface  water  supplies ;  they  have 
a  source  and  the  amount  of  use  that  can  be  maintained  permanently 
is  limited  to  tlie  extent  of  tlie  supply.  With  ground  water  supplies 
it  is  more  difficult  to  determine  the  source  and  to  measure  the  extent 
of  the  supply,  but  such  difficulties  do  not  alter  the  fact  that  there  must 
be  a  source  and  that  the  amount  of  the  suppl}^  has  a  limit.  There  are 
various  ways  of  estimating  both  the  source  and  the  extent  of  ground 
water  supplies.  Prior  to  actual  use  of  ground  water  in  any  area  such 
methods  are  generally  indirect.  After  pumping  has  been  practiced, 
the  results  of  such  use  furnishes  the  best  basis  for  estimating  the 
anu)imt  of  draft  which  can  l)e  maintained.  This  method  has  been  used 
in  this  report. 

Various  theories  have  been  advanced  regarding  the  source  of  ground 
water  in  this  area.  All  available  records  indicate  that  there  is  only 
one  soni'ce.  namely,  the  run-off  resulting  from  the  precipitation  on 
the  locally  tributary  drainage  areas.  Except  for  minor  amounts  of 
such  ]'un-of¥  from  the  lower  hill  areas,  all  of  the  locally  tributary 
run-oflt'  occurs  in  di^finite  stream  channels  in  which  it  can  be  and  has 
been  measured.  These  records  eimble  the  average  total  water  supply 
of  the  area  to  be  determined  Avithin  relatively  narrow  margins  of 
uncertainty. 

The  larger  part  of  the  run-off  reaches  this  area  through  streams 
draining  the  higher  areas  of  tlie  Sierras.  Kings  River  supplies  one-half 
of  file  total,  Kei-n  Eivei'  about  one-fourth;  the  other  larger  sti'cams  in 
the  order  of  their  si/.e  are  Kaweah  and  Tule  rivers.  Each  stream 
enters  the  valley  over  a  delta  which  has  been  built  up  by  the  materials 
it  has  transpoi'ted.  AVitliin  eadi  delta  the  ground  water  has  its  source 
in  its  local  stream.  Being  relatively  close  to  this  source  and  of  coarser 
materials,  the  deltas  contain  ground  water  in  larger  amounts,  and 
under  more  readily  obtainable  conditions  than  in  the  more  distant  areas. 

The  stream   deltas  extend  out  into  tlie   valley  for  various  distances 


12  Dcparlninil   nf  J'lthllr   M'orls. 

dopemliii^^  on  the  si/c  of  the  stream.  Kiua:s  River  delta  extends  prac- 
tically across  the  valley  and  has  shnt  off  out  How  to  the  north  from  the 
otlier  streams.  In  tlie  floor  oi-  troviprli  ol"  tlic  valley  the  groniid  waters 
derived  from  the  different  strea)ns  mingle  and  the  source  of  the  supply 
of  any  local  portion  of  the  valley  trough  is  more  difficult  to  determine. 
The  streams  from  the  Sierras  enter  the  valley  too  far  apart  for  their 
deltas  to  meet  )iear  the  ujiper  edure  of  the  valley.  In  consecpifnce  tliere 
are  many  areas  into  which  the  percolatioii  from  the  larger  streams  or 
from  canals  does  ]iot  ])enetrate.  Such  areas  have  oidy  limited  sources 
of  gi-ound  Avater  su])ply  and  extensive  pumping  has  always  resulted 
in  a  rehitively  rapid  gi-onnd  Avater  de]detion. 

All  areas  in  the  Southern  San  Joa(|uin  A^alley  need  give  serious 
attention  to  their  ground  Avater  situation.  If  the  records  obtained  show 
that  the  development  has  not  reached  a  point  Avliere  the  draft  exceeds 
the  sup])ly.  the  advantage  of  such  knowledge  will  more  than  repay 
the  effort  re(|uired  for  its  determination.  If  it  is  found  that  present 
development  is  approaching  ctr  has  exceeded  the  available  su]>])ly. 
efforts  towai'd  limiting  fuiiber  develoinnent  and  toward  higher  stand- 
ards of  practice  with  eonseciueut  reduction  in  draft  for  present  areas 
will  extend  the  time  before  ground  water  loAvering  may  result  in  the 
al)andoinnent  of  pum]^ing  plants  and  the  d(>crease  in  the  irrigation 
development  of  such  localities.  Ground  water  is  mysterious  only  Jo 
such  extent  as  actual  information  regarding  it  is  unknoAvn.  Each 
locality  should  s(h^  th.at  its  ground  Avater  history  is  recorded  through 
Avell  measurements  in  order  that  unciMtainty  as  to  Avhat  has  occurred 
and  is  occurring  is  not  added  to  the  uncertainties  of  prediction  as  to 
Avhat  Avill  occur. 


Summary  of  Main   Report. 

The  ex]>erieiU'e  in  the  use  of  gi'ound  Avater  in  the  Snulliei-n  San 
Joacpiin  A'alley  emphasi/cs  certain  results,  (^ne  of  these  is  tliHt  ground 
water  Avhich  does  not  have  a  direct  and  local  source  of  replenishment 
A\  ill  not  maintain  a  heavy  draft  without  progressive  loAA-ering.  (Iround 
watei-  movement  occurs  slowly  and  in  limited  amounts.  Extensive  use 
of  ground  water  except  in  areas  having  such  direct  sources  of  supply 
has  resulted  in  loAvering  of  the  ground  Avater  in  all  ca.ses.  Di.stant 
movement,  over  relatively  long  i)eriods.  in  the  i)ast  has  resulted  in 
the  accumulation  of  large  amounts  of  ground  Avater  under  lai'ge  areas 
in  the  Soulher}i  San  eToa<|uin  Valley.  However,  Avhen  such  ground 
Avaters  are  draAvn  upon  to  irrigate  more  than  a  small  fraction  of  the 
gross  overlying  area,  the  rate  of  draft  exceeds  tlie  rate  of  replacement, 
tlu'  ground  Avater  stoi-age  is  draAvn  upon  and  loAvering  results. 

Another  fact  brought  out  by  the  cxi)erienee  in  this  area  is  that  on 
the  lai-ger  delta  areas  the  principal  source  of  ground  Avater  supply  is 
the  losses  from  AA^ater  diverted  from  the  streams  rather  than  the  seepage 
from  the  stream  channels  themselves.  One-half  the  pum})ing  is  on 
lands  also  receiving  some  canal  service.  For  such  lands  tlu'  ground 
Avater  fluctuates  as  it  is  more  heavily  drawn  upon  in  years  of  deficient 
canal  supply  hut  may  be  restored  in  years  of  larger  canal  use.  Of 
the  pumping  area  for  Avhich  it  is  considered  present  draft  exceeds  the 


Ground   Wdirr   Ursourccs,  Southern   San  Joaquin    Valley.       13 

£rroiiiul  water  supply,  only  a  small  portion  is  in  areas  receiving  canal 
service.  As  a  source  of  supplemental  water  sujjply  in  areas  receiving 
partial  canal  service,  pumping-  i'opres(>nts  a  very  effective  and  desirable 
type  of  stoviigv.  Where  the  eanal  supplies  arc  adequate  in  amount 
but  occur  only  during  a  short  diversion  season,  full  irrigation  of  the 
entire  area  can  be  accomplished  by  such  supplemental  pumping.  Where 
the  total  canal  supplies  are  insufficient,  permanent  development  can  not 
support  all  of  the  gross  area. 

Another  point  which  the  records  assembled  in  the  preparation  of 
this  report  enables  to  be  estimated  is  the  rate  of  supply  required  to 
provide  the  moisture  I'equirement.s  of  the  crops.  In  many  areas  the 
supply  received,  the  area  cropped  and  the  resulting  eft'eet  on  the 
ground  water  have  been  observed  for  several  years.  These  results 
])rovide  a  basis  on  which  to  estimate  the  water  consumed  by  different 
ci'ops  under  different  conditions.  If  the  ground  water  is  to  be  main- 
tained in  any  area,  the  average  supply  received  must  be  equal  to  the 
use  by  the  crops  and  any  outward  ground  water  movement.  Records 
to  date  from  different  areas  indicate  as  tentative  conclusions  that  in 
areas  of  trees  and  vines  having  limited  ground  water  outflow,  the 
crop  needs  for  moisture  will  be  supplied  by  an  average  annual  deliv- 
ery into  the  area  of  about  If  acre-feet  of  water  per  acre  of  crop.  For 
forage  crops  an  average  delivery  of  2  to  2^  acre-feet  of  water  per  acre 
of  crop  may  be  required.  For  other  crop  conditions  other  amounts  of 
supply  are  found.  The  results  for  diff'erent  parts  of  the  area  are  dis- 
cussed in  detail  in  the  report.  Where  ground  water  outflow  occurs 
or  where  the  ground  water  is  close  to  the  ground  surface  larger  amounts 
of  supplj'  are  required  to  supply  the  crops  and  maintain  the  ground 
water. 

The  general  ground  water  contours  which  represent  the  elevation 
and  slope  of  the  gron]id  Avater  table  are  shown  on  Map  1.  The  depths 
to  ground  water  are  shown  on  Map  2.  The  extent  to  Avhieh  the  ground, 
water  has  lowered  from  1920  to  1925  for  the  areas  in  Tulare  and  Kern 
counties  for  which  records  covering  this  period  are  available  are  shown 
on  Map  3.  The  details  regarding  these  maps  are  explained  in  Chap- 
ter II. 

The  ground  water  is  discussed  separately  for  three  divisions  of  the 
area.  These  are  the  Kings  River  areas,  the  Tulare  County  areas  and 
the  Kern  County  areas.  Each  of  these  three  areas  are  relatively  dis- 
tinct in  their  ground  water  supply  and  use.  Within  each  area,  the 
different  localities  also  have  distinct  ground  water  conditions  and  each 
area  is  further  subdivided  for  detailed  discussion.  In  considering 
iliese  sub-areas,  it  should  be  kept  in  mind  that  the  discussions  of  the 
T-elation  of  surface  water  supply  and  ground  water  fluctuation  are 
based  upon  the  records  of  from  one  to  six  years.  Altered  conditions  in 
adjacent  territory,  from  those  obtaining  during  the  period  of  record 
may  effect  the  relation  here  discussed.  However,  a  stud}^  of  the  avail- 
able data  discloses  no  reason  to  expect  large  changes.  Also  it  is  de- 
sired to  point  out  that  the  discussions  apply  to  average  conditions  in 
eacli  sub-acrea  and  may  not  express  the  true  relation  in  each  individual 
part. 


]4  Department  of  Pul)tie  Works. 


Summary  ok  Chapter  III. 

GROUND   WATER    IN    KINGS    RIVER   AREA. 

The  Kings  JJiver  area  iiieliulcs  those  areas  whose  ground  water  is 
derived  mainly  or  Avholly  from  Kin<rs  River  cither  directly  or  by 
diversion  therefrom  by  canals.  It  includes  Tulare  Lake  and  the  areas 
west  of  the  vallej''  trough  from  the  southern  part  of  Tulare  Lake  to 
Mendota.  In  years  of  average  stream  fiow  a  total  area  of  over  600,000 
acres  receives  canal  irrigation  from  Kings  River.  Of  tliis  area  fully 
one-lialf  is  also  supi)licd  with  i)umping  plants  from  which  supi)leinental 
ground  water  supplies  are  secured.  There  is  an  additional  area  of 
330,000  acres  which  secures  its  water  supply  entirely  by  pumping.  As 
the  mean  animal  run-off  of  Kings  River  is  about  1,800,000  acre-feet, 
llie  total  water  supply  from  Kings  River  represents  an  average  of  only 
2.4  acre-feet  per  acre  of  present  total  ii-rigation  development. 

Fresno  Irrigation  District. 

In  tlie  Fresno  Irrigation  District  the  canal  service  is  more  regular 
and  extends  over  a  longer  season  than  that  secured  by  areas  having 
later  priorities  of  water  right,  (^f  the  total  area  in  the  district  of 
240,000  acres,  163,000  acres  are  irrigated  from  canals  and  31,000  acres 
entirely  l)y  pumping.  Tlie  area  supplied  by  canals  is  also  largely 
supplied  with  immpiiig  plants  for  supplemental  pumping.  The  ground 
water  tluctuates  with  the  extent  of  the  canal  supply  during  the  season 
from  IMarch  1  to  December  1.  During  the  remaining  winter  months  the 
ground  water  fluctuations  are  not  dependent  on  the  canal  diversions 
of  the  preceding  season  but  appear  to  vary  with  the  amount  of  the 
rainfall  during  these  months.  For  the  different  parts  of  the  district 
an  average  canal  delivery  varying  from  1.65  to  2.25  acre-feet  per  acre  of 
the  total  area  of  irrigated  crops  appears  to  be  required  to  supply  the 
crop  needs  and  maintain  the  ground  water.  The  variations  in  these 
reciuirements  are  the  result  of  the  character  of  the  crops,  the  ground 
water  movement  into  or  out  of  the  different  areas  and  the  height  of 
the  ground  water. 

Ground  water  in  the  Fresno  Irrigation  District  occurred  at  depths  of 
about  sixty  feet  prior  to  iri'igation.  Following  the  use  of  water  from 
canals  the  ground  water  rose  until  it  stood  less  than  six  feet  below  the 
ground  surfac(^  under  much  of  the  district.  From  December  1,  1921, 
to  December  1,  1925,  there  has  been  an  average  lowering  of  1.75  feet 
for  the  two-thirds  of  the  area  in  the  district  under  the  Fresno  Canal. 
The  lowering  averaged  3.75  feet  in  the  very  dry  year  of  1924.  In  1925 
the  ground  water  recovered  an  average  of  1.4  f'eet. 

The  Fresno  City  AVater  Corporation  pum])s  abo\it  20.0(10  acre-feet 
per  year  from  ;in  area  of  about  ()()<»()  acres  within  the  city  of  Fresno. 
This  lias  residted  in  a  lowering  of  the  ground  water  within  the  city 
of  as  much  as  fourteen  feet  below  its  former  elevation.  A  portion 
of  this  draft  is  d(^livered  to  th(^  ii'rigated  area  southwest  of  Fresno 
through  the  discharge  of  the  city  sewage. 

The  present  extent  of  pumping  in  the  Fresno  Irrigation  District  is 
considered  to  be  adequate  to  control  the  ground  w^ater  so  that  a  recur- 


Ground   Water  Kcsources,  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.       15 

rence  of  the  former  conditions  of  injury  from  lack  of  drainage  is  not 
anticipated.  In  addition  to  supplying  needed  water  for  irrigation, 
pumping  has  been  of  much  benefit  in  supplying  drainage. 

Consolidated   Irrigation   District. 

In  the  Consolidated  Irrigation  District,  of  the  gross  area  of  150,000 
acres,  81,500  acres  are  irrigated  from  canal  service  and  44,000  acres 
are  supplied  entirely  by  pumping.  In  addition  the  larger  part  of  the 
canal-served  area  has  supplemental  pumping  plants.  The  ground 
water  records  indicate  some  movement  from  the  higher  toward  the 
lower  area.  Present  records  indicate  that  this  may  amount  to  about 
0.35  acre-feet  per  acre  from  the  upper  area  toward  the  lower.  Winter 
fluctuations  are  proportional  to  the  winter  rainfall.  The  rate  of  deliv- 
ery required  per  acre  of  total  irrigated  crop  appears  to  l)e  partially 
dependent  on  the  height  of  the  ground  M-ater.  A  smaller  requirement 
appeared  to  be  required  under  the  lower  ground  water  conditions  in 
1925  than  those  of  1922  and  1928.  For  the  entire  district,  an  average 
delivery  of  1.75  acre-feet  per  acre  of  total  canal  and  pump  irrigated 
area  appears  to  be  required  to  supply  the  crops  and  maintain  the  ground 
water.  The  ground  water  has  lowered  an  average  of  three  feet  from 
1921  to  1925.  The  ground  water  lowered  3.8  feet  in  1924  and  rose  0.5 
foot  in  1925. 

Laguna  and   Riverdale   Irrigation   Districts. 

In  the  Laguna  and  Riverdale  Irrigation  districts  less  extensive  ground 
water  records  are  available.  In  1924  about  forty  per  cent  of  the  irri- 
gated area  was  supplied  with  pumping  plants.  Inexpensive,  shallow 
Avells  and  plants  are  obtainable  in  these  districts. 

Areas  Not  Directly  Served  by  Canals. 

There  is  an  area  of  about  180,000  acres  lying  between  the  Fresno  and 
Consolidated  Irrigation  districts  and  the  areas  supplied  by  diversion 
from  Murphy  and  Fresno  sloughs  in  which  there  is  very  little  irriga- 
tion. Ground  water  has  stood  relatively  close  to  the  ground  surface 
over  much  of  this  area.  The  James  Irrigation  District  has  a  series  of 
pumping  plants  in  this  area.  The  water  secured  is  used  within  the 
district.  These  wells  have  been  operated  since  1921.  A  total  draft  of 
61,000  acre-feet  to  the  end  of  1925  had  resulted  in  an  average  ground 
water  lowering  of  about  five  feet  at  the  wells.  These  wells  do  not 
appear  to  fluctuate  directly  with  the  wells  in  the  adjacent  parts  of  the 
Fresno  Irrigation  District.  Ground  water  movement  from  the  higher 
areas  to  the  east  is  considered  to  occur  at  a  relatively  slow  rate. 

Foothill  Irrigation  District. 

Of  the  56,000  acres  in  the  Foothill  Irrigation  District  about  20,000 
acres  are  now  irrigated  from  wells.  This  district  has  received  no  canal 
supplies  in  the  past.  The  ground  water  has  lowered  over  fifty  feet  in 
some  parts  of  the  area.  The  local  sources  of  ground  water  supply  are 
inadequate  to  meet  the  present  draft  and  additional  supplies  are  being 
sought  by  the  district. 


16  Department  of  Vutjlic   Wurks. 

Alta  Irrigation  District. 

The  Alta  Irrigation  District  euiiiprise.s  129,000  acres  of  which  about 
82,000  acres  are  now  irrigated.  Practically  all  of  the  irrigated  area 
receives  canal  service,  ouly  a  small  area  depending-  entirely  on  pumps. 
Nearly  all  of  the  canal-served  area  also  secures  supplemental  supplies 
from  wells.  The  ground  water  in  the  winter  fluctuates  with  the 
amount  of  the  winter  rainfall.  The  average  rate  of  delivery  per  acre  of 
crop  required  to  supply  crop  needs  and  maintain  the  ground  water  as 
indicated  by  present  records  appears  to  vary  from  1.4  to  2.25  acre-feet 
in  different  i)arts  of  the  area.  The  larger  re(iuirement  is  for  areas 
along  Kings  River  where  outward  movement  of  ground  water  occurs. 

The  ground  water  in  the  Alta  District  has  lowered  an  average  of 
7.5  feet  from  1921  to  1925.  The  lowering  in  the  very  dry  year  of 
1924  averaged  9.8  feet ;  in  1925,  1.9  feet  of  this  lowering  was  recovered. 
The  records  indicate  that  a  smaller  rate  of  delivery  will  meet  crop 
needs  and  maintain  the  ground  water  with  the  lower  ground  water 
as  in  1925  than  for  the  conditions  of  1922  and  1923. 

Kings  County  Canals. 

Less  extensive  records  are  available  regarding  the  ground  water 
fluctuations  under  the  Peoples,  Last  Chance  and  Lemoore  canals  in 
Kings  County  than  for  the  upper  districts.  Records  in  1925  for  the 
Jjemoore  Canal  area  show  a  small  rise  in  tlie  ground  water  with  an  aver- 
age delivery  of  1.8  acre-feet  per  acre  of  gross  area.  For  the  Last  Chance 
canal  area  with  a  larger  proportion  of  trees  and  vines  an  average  canal 
supply  of  1.9  acre-feet  per  acre  of  gross  area  resulted  in  a  ground  water 
rise  of  about  one  foot.  Ground  water  in  all  of  these  areas  is  relatively 
close  to  the  gi-ound  surface,  being  generallj^  less  than  ten  feet  below 
the  ground  surface  in  1925  after  the  very  dry  year  of  1924.  All  of  the 
lands  in  these  areas  are  reported  as  irrigated,  incomplete  irrigation 
of  pasturage  occurs  on  much  of  the  area. 

Valley  Trough  Areas  on   North   Side. 

The  valley  trough  area  along  the  north  side  channels  of  Kings  River 
includes  lands  served  by  a  number  of  small  canal  systems.  Pumping 
from  within  the  area  is  largely  from  deeper  wells.  Such  wells  were 
forniorly  artesian  but  now  flow,  if  at  all,  only  during  winter  months 
of  small  draft.  The  quality  of  the  M'ater  secured  in  variable.  Some 
wells  yield  water  whose  continued  use  might  result  in  soil  injury  if 
used  as  the  entire  source  of  supply.  As  all  lands  secure  some  canal 
supplies  and  use  pumping  from  wells  as  a  supplemental  source,  such 
injury  is  not  probable.  The  deeper  wells  ax'e  relatively  sensitive  to 
draft  and  the  extent  of  pumping  which  can  be  maintained  without 
excessive  lifts  appears  to  be  smaller  than  that  feasible  in  areas  of 
shallow  supplies  nuire  directly  replenished.  The  source  of  the  supply 
for  the  deeper  wcils  is  distant  fi'om  the  trough  area  and  is  not  definite! v 
known.  The  deep  well  supply  is  probably  obtained  from  areas  along  the 
course  of  Kings  River  above  these  lands. 


Gromul   M'ttlrv  1\( sources.   Soiilli<ni    S<i)>   Joaquin   Valley.       17 

West  Side  Areas. 

West  of  the  valley  troiigli  extending  from  Tulare  Lake  to  Mendota 
is  a  gross  area  of  250,000  acres,  about  one-eighth  of  which  is  now 
irrigated  from  local  deep  wells.  These  wells  vary  from  1200  to  2000 
feet  in  depth.  Water  is  drawn  only  from  below  depths  of  about  600 
feet.  Its  qualit}^  is  generally  fair  being  better  toward  the  south  end 
of  the  area  than  at  the  north  end  or  in  some  areas  of  heavier  draft. 
Availa1)le  records  do  not  enable  the  present  ground  water  levels  or  the 
fluct nations  under  past  use  to  be  definitely  determined.  Tiie  gronnd 
water  api)ears  to  slo})e  from  the  valley  trough  toward  the  west  under 
])resent  conditions.  The  soiu'ces  of  ground  water  replenishment  are 
uncertain ;  the  supply  must,  of  necessit}',  come  from  a  relatively  distant 
source.  In  other  areas  remote  from  sources  of  ground  water  supply, 
the  ground  water  has  been  found  to  be  sensitive  to  heavy  draft.  With 
only  one-eighth  of  the  area  irrigated,  lowering  appears  to  be  occurring. 
1'lie  conditions  are  favorable  for  an  overdraft  on  the  underground 
waters  to  develop.  Owing  to  the  depth  of  tlie  wells  required  in  this 
area,  ground  water  development  is  necessarily  expensive. 

Tulare  Lake  Area. 

There  has  been  much  activity  in  the  installation  of  deep  wells  recently 
in  the  Tulare  Lake  area.  In  wells  formerly  artesian,  water  now  stands 
thirty  to  sixty  feet  below  the  ground  surface  and  pumping  lifts, 
including  the  drawdoAvn,  exceed  100  feet.  Gas  usually  occurs  in  the 
deeper  water.  The  quality  of  the  water  from  some  wells  is  not  as  good 
as  is  desirable.  However  as  the  areas  supplied  will  receive  canal 
service  in  years  of  adequate  stream  flow  and  may  be  submerged  at 
times  when  Tulare  Lake  fills,  soil  in.iury  from  the  use  of  ground 
water  is  not  considered  probable.  The  source  of  supply  of  these  deeper 
wells  is  outside  the  area  of  Tulare  Lake.  The  source  has  not  been 
definitely  traced.  The  supply  may  come  from  more  than  one  of  the 
tributary  streams.  Owing  to  the  distanee  of  movement  and  fineness 
of  the  materials,  these  wells  would  be  expected  to  be  relatively  sen.si- 
tive  to  heavy  draft. 

Summary  of  Chapter  IV. 

GROUND  WATER  IN  TULARE  COUNTY  AREAS. 

The  four  streams  in  Tulare  County  in  both  the  order  of  their  size 
and  of  their  location  from  north  to  south  are  the  Kaweah  and  Tule 
rivers  and  Deer  and  White  creeks.  The  ground  water  conditions  for 
the  areas  dependent  on  each  of  these  streams  are  discussed  separately. 

Kaweah   River  Areas. 

The  mean  annual  run-off  of  the  Kaweah  River  is  estimated  to  be 
440,000  acre-feet.  The  total  gross  area  considered  to  be  dependent  on 
the  Kaweah  River  for  such  water  supply  as  it  may  receive  is  365,000 
acres  of  which  175,000  acres  are  now  irrigated.  This  represents  an  acre 
of  crop  for  each  2.5  acre-feet  of  mean  annual  stream  flow.     Ground 

2 — 4707C 


18  Department  of  Puhlic   Works. 

water  records  covering  the  ]artj;er  part  of  the  area  are  available  since 
1917.     Records  -were  begun  in  the  remaining  area  in  1920. 

For  the  eight  years  from  1917  to  1925,  the  ground  water  over  the 
whole  Kaweah  River  area  has  lowered  an  average  of  1.6  feet  per  year. 
The  stream  flow  for  this  period  has  averaged  78,000  acre-feet  per  year 
below  normal.  For  the  gross  area  of  365,000  acres,  the  ground  water 
lowering  rein-osents  an  amount  of  water  about  equal  to  the  deficiency 
in  stream  flow.  For  the  area  as  a  whole  the  present  development 
appears  to  require  the  full  average  supply.  The  development  of  any 
material  part  of  the  remaining  half  of  the  gross  area  which  is  not  now 
irrigated  would  result  in  an  overdraft  on  the  .supply.  While  as  a  whole 
present  use  appears  to  about  e(iual  the  average  water  supply,  the  draft 
and  u.se  in  the  ditferent  parts  of  the  area  are  not  balanced.  An  excess 
canal  supply  is  secured  in  some  areas,  in  other  areas  pumping  exceeds 
the  average  replenishment. 

In  the  main  area  covered  l)y  canals  diverting  for  lands  below  Venice 
Hills,  the  ground  loAvering  in  the  five-year  period  from  1920  to  1925 
has  been  less  than  five  feet  in  the  areas  receiving  canal  service  of 
regular  character.  The  lowering  in  areas  of  irregular  canal  service 
has  been  about  ten  feet.  In  much  of  this  area  the  ground  water  would 
be  expected  to  rise  closer  to  the  surface  than  is  desirable  in  years  of 
normal  stream  flow.  For  the  whole  area  the  average  lowering  was 
about  twelve  feet  from  1917  to  1925. 

For  the  upper  areas  above  Venice  Hills,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
river,  recent  increases  in  pumping  appear  to  have  resulted  in  a  draft 
in  excess  of  the  supply  reaching  the  parts  of  the  area  more  distant 
from  direct  canal  use.  On  the  south  side  of  the  river,  in  an  area  of 
3000  acres  of  which  four-fifths  Avere  developed,  a  lowering  of  fifteen 
feet  occurred  from  1920  to  1925.  Although  some  canal  service  is  secured 
the  present  rate  of  draft  appears  to  exceed  the  present  sources  of  supply 
and  continued  lowering  is  to  be  anticipated.  For  the  whole  area  the 
irrigation  of  one-fourth  of  the  gross  area  resulted  in  an  average  lower- 
ing of  ten  feet  from  1917  to  1925. 

There  is  a  gro.ss  area  of  20.000  acres  of  which  7300  acres  are  now 
irrigated  west  of  the  Lindsay-Strathmore  Irrigation  District  toward 
which  the  ground  water  slopes  from  all  directions  due  to  tlie  lowering 
of  the  ground  water  that  has  occurred  under  the  heavy  local  draft.  In 
the  portion  of  this  area  toward  which  the  ground  water  slopes  from 
the  main  Kaweah  River  area  the  ground  water  lowered  twenty  feet  from 
1917  to  1925.  The  total  lowering  to  date  exceeds  eighty  feet  in  some 
parts  of  this  area.  The  greatest  lowering  has  occurred  within  five 
miles  of  areas  along  Outside  Creek  in  which  the  lowering  has  been  less 
than  five  feet  during  the  deficient  years  from  1920  to  1925.  The  exces- 
sive lowering  does  not  ap]iear  to  liave  established  ground  water  move- 
ment into  the  area  to  a  sufficient  extent  to  supply  the  present  draft 
as  the  lowering  was  greater  in  1925  than  that  in  either  1918  or  1919 
although  the  stream  flow  in  1925  was  laroer  than  that  in  cither  of  the 
earlier  years. 

There  is  an  area  of  95,000  acres,  of  which  15,000  acres  are  irrigated 
from  wells,  that  is  within  tlie  general  area  of  the  lower  Kaweah  Delta 
but  outside  the  area  served  by  canals.  The  lowering  that  has  occurred 
in  this  area  is  generally  pi'oportional  to  the  amount  of  the  local  draft. 


(J round    Wi'Irr   h't  soiincs,  Soutlicni   San  Joaquin    Valley.       19 

Little  lowering  has  occvirred  even  in  the  dry  years  where  little  pumping 
is  praetieed.  Whore  much  pumping  has  occurred  a  lowering  of  several 
feet  per  year  is  shown.  The  experience  in  this  area  is  an  additional 
illustration  that  ground  water  movements  from  distant  sources  occur 
relatively  slowly  and  that  areas  in  the  direction  of  the  ground  water 
slope  from  diret-t  soui-ces  of  supply  may  be  unable  to  support  a  pumping 
draft  suliticient  for  the  irrigation  of  more  than  a  small  part  of  the 
gross  area.  The  irrigation  of  one-sixth  of  the  gross  area  resulted  in 
an  average  lowering  of  sixteen  feet  frOm  1917  to  1925. 

Areas  Dependent  on  Tiile  River. 

The  mean  annual  run-off  of  Tule  River  is  estimated  to  be  132,000 
acre-feet.  About  68,000  acres  are  irrigated  in  the  gross  area  of  204,000 
acres  whose  water  supply  is  dependent  upon  Tule  River.  This  repre- 
sents an  acre  irrigated  for  each  two  acre-feet  of  mean  annual  run-off. 
For  the  five  years  1921  to  1925  the  average  stream  flow  has  been  90,000 
acre-feet  per  year.  The  average  lowering  has  been  11.5  feet  for  the 
same  period.  For  the  whole  area  the  ground  water  storage  represented 
])y  this  lowering  would  be  larger  than  the  shortage  in  stream  flow  in 
these  years  indicating  some  overdraft  for  the  area  as  a  Avhole.  As  in 
the  case  of  other  delta  areas,  the  conditions  vary  in  the  different  parts  of 
the  Tule  River  Delta. 

The  main  area  of  the  Tule  River  Delta  includes  the  lands  receiving 
canal  service.  It  represents  the  lands  sufficiently  near  Tule  River  and 
its  canals  to  have  more  definite  sources  of  water  supply.  Of  the  total 
area  of  77.000  acres  about  one-third  is  irrigated.  The  ground  water 
lowering  from  1921  to  1925  has  averaged  five  feet  in  the  part  of  the 
area  having  the  heaviest  pumping  draft  but  also  receiving  the  largest 
canal  supply.  The  middle  portion  of  the  area  lowered  ten  feet  with  a 
slightly  smaller  draft.  The  outer  portion  lowered  twelve  feet  under  a 
much  lighter  pumping  draft.  These  results  indicate  the  need  for  direct 
sources  of  supply  witliiii  each  area  if  much  pumping  draft  is  to  be 
maintained. 

There  is  an  area  north  of  ihc  Tule  River  Delta  toward  which  the 
ground  water  now  slopes  from  the  Tule  River  Delta.  Of  the  gross  area 
of  21,000  acres  nearly  one-half  is  now  irrigated  from  wells.  The  present 
ground  water  slope  is  the  result  of  the  excessive  lowering  that  has 
occurred  in  this  area.  The  lowering  in  1925  was  larger  than  that  in 
earlier  years  of  similar  stream  flow.  A  general  average  ground  water 
lowei'ing  of  about  four  feet  per  year  can  be  expected  in  this  area. 

On  the  south  of  the  main  Tule  River  area  are  7000  acres  of  which 
one-eighth  is  now  iri-igated.  An  average  loAvering  of  eiglit  feet  has 
occurred  in  tlic  last  five  years.  Tliis  is  less  than  the  average  lowering 
in  otiier  outer  Tule  Rivci-  areas.  Any  larger  draft  would  be  expected 
to  result  in  an  inereasetl  rate  of  lowering. 

On  the  outer  part  of  the  Tule  River  Delta  is  an  area  of  97,000  acres 
of  wliieh  one-fourth  is  irrigated  from  wells.  An  average  rate  of  draft 
of  al>out  one-half  aei-e-foot  i)ei-  aere  of  gross  area  resulted  in  a  lowering 
of  about  twelve  feet  from  ]!»21  to  1925.  In  the  upper  i)art  of  this  area 
in  1921  the  draft  was  similar  to  that  in  the  part  of  the  main  area 
receiving  canal  service;  the  ground  Avater  lowering  was  six  times  as 


20  DfpiirlDU'iil   of  I'lthUc    WorU. 

largo  as  in  the  canal  area.  This  eomparison  illustrates  the  greater 
sensitiveness  to  draft  of  sueli  outer  a)-eas  that  do  not  have  direct  local 
sources  of  ground  water  supply.  An  average  ground  water  lowering 
of  ahout  two  feet  per  year  is  to  be  expected  in  this  outer  area  as  a 
whole  under  existing  conditions  of  use.  Larger  amounts  of  lowering 
are  to  be  expected  in  areas  where  more  than  one-thir(]  of  the  gross 
area  is  su]i]ilied  by  putin)ing  fi'om  wells. 

Deer  Creek  Area. 

The  (>sliiii;it('d  iiiciii  ;iiiiiii;il  niii  (iff  of  Dccf  ('reck  is  ID. 000  acre-feet. 
This  is  the  only  soun-c  of  supjily  I'oi-  a  i>ross  area  of  lOli.OOO  acres  of 
which  1!>, (»()()  aci'cs  oi-  eighteen  per  cent  ai'e  now  in-igated.  Tiiese  figures 
include  the  area  in  the  Terra  J^ella  Irrigation  i^istrict.  The  ground 
water  records  indicate  that  even  this  small  proi)ortion  of  development 
will  result  in  an  average  ground  water  lowering  of  al)out  2.5  feet  per 
>'ear.  The  present  pinn])iiig  draft  is  about  twice  tlu^  mean  annual  flow 
of  Deer  Creek. 

White  Creek  Area. 

The  estimated  mean  annual  run-off  of  "White  Creek  is  6300  acre-feet. 
An  area  of  104,000  ticres  in  the  southern  part  of  Tulare  County  is 
dependent  on  White  Creek  foi-  sucli  ground  water  supjilics  as  it  may 
receive.  About  one-Hftli  of  this  ai'ea  is  now  irrigated  from  wells.  From 
1921  to  1925  the  ground  water  has  lowered  an  average  of  twelve  feet, 
the  lowering  being  as  large  as  thirty  feet  in  areas  of  concentrated 
draft.  The  total  i»iunping  draft  in  1925  was  eight  times  the  estimated 
mean  annual  run-off  of  White  Creek.  Further  increase  in  ai'ca  irrigated 
by  pumping  from  wells  in  this  area  can  only  increase  the  pre.sent  rate 
of  gi'ouud  water  lowering. 


SUMM.MJV    OI'    ClIAl'TEi:    A'. 
GROUND  WATER    IN    KERN   COUNTY   AREAS. 

The  irrigated  areas  of  Kern  Comity  include  a  wide  variety  of  condi- 
tions of  sujjply  and  draft.  Kern  River  has  an  average  annual  run-off 
of  al)out  800,000  a^re-feet  per  yeai".  The  areas  receiving  the  larger 
amounts  of  canal  service  practice  very  little  pumping.  Canal  use  has 
resulted  in  the  need  for  drainage  in  much  of  such  areas.  Other  areas 
are  distant  from  active  sources  of  ground  water  supply  and  show  ground 
water  de})leti()ii  under  i)re.seut  conditions  of  use.  The  conditions  can 
be  more  readily  discussed  by  separate  areas. 

Areas  Above  the  East  Side  Canal. 

This  area  lies  south  and  east  of  Rakersfield  in  the  vicinity  of  Arvin. 
The  i-un-ott'  of  Caliente  Creek  is  considered  to  be  the  only  source  of 
ground  water  supply  for  this  area.  This  ruu-otf  is  estimated  to  be  an 
average  of  35,000  acre-feet  per  year.  Of  the'  gross  area  of  55,000  acres 
about  17,000  acies  are  now  irrigated  from  wells.  The  present  pumping 
draft  for  the  thirty  per  cent  of  the  total  area  that  is  irrigated  appears 


L 


(Innind    W'uhr    lu  saincrs,   Soiillni-ii    S«iii    Joaquiii    Valley.       21 

in  he  fully  (m|umI  to  tin'  (iv;iilal)h'  .siip|>ly.  A  maxiiunm  tri'ouiid  water 
lo\v('rin}i-  of  tAvouty  iect  has  occurred  in  the  years  lUliO  to  1925  in  the 
area  of  heaviest  pninpins:  draft.  An  increase  in  the  area  irrigated  can 
only  he  expected  to  result  in  ;iii  increase  in  tlie  rate  of  ground  water 
lowering'. 

Area   Under   East   Side  Canal. 

This  area  includes  8.S,r)()()  acres  of  whicli  al)out  one-half  is  irrigated. 
A  larger  area  is  supplied  entiiely  from  wells  than  the  area  receiving 
canal  service.  The  available  records  indicate  that  the  present  area 
iri-igated  is  as  large  as  the  present  sources  of  Avater  supply  can  support 
without  progressive  gouud  watfM-  lowering. 

Main  Canal  Area  South  of  Kern   River. 

This  area  includes  162,000  acres  of  which  about  one-half  is  in  the 
Kern  River  Water  Storage  District.  Past  canal  use  has  resulted  in  a 
relatively  high  ground  water  table  over  much  of  the  area  so  that 
drainage  is  needed.  Owing  to  the  character  of  the  canal  supply 
obtained  there  has  been  little  development  of  pumping.  A 
continuation  of  the  past  amounts  of  canal  diversion  into  this  area  can 
be  expected  to  maintain  a  high  ground  water.  Present  average  rates  of 
diversion  exceed  croj)  consumption  of  moisture  and  drainage  is  essen- 
tial on  much  of  this  area  if  adequate  crop  production  is  to  be  secured. 
The  physical  conditions  for  pumping  are  favorable  on  much  of  the 
area  near  Kern  River.  Such  pumping,  in  addition  to  furnishing  relief 
as  di-ainage,  would  also  make  available  additional  water  supply. 

Rosedale  Area. 

This  area  lies  adjacent  to  and  north  of  Kern  River.  Of  the  gross 
ai-ea  of  -14.000  acres  aliout  12.000  acres  were  irrigated  in  1925.  About 
oiu'-thii'd  of  the  irrigated  area  secures  its  supply  entirely  by  pumping, 
(xround  water  in  this  area  is  r<4atively  close  to  the  ground  surface. 
The  canal  su])i)ly  has  exceeded  the  crop  use  in  the  past  and  excess 
eva))oration  from  moist  areas  and  outward  ground  water  movement 
have  occurred.  The  ground  water  lowering  that  resulted  from  tin; 
shortage  in  canal  supplies  in  1924  has  caused  a  reduction  in  the  ground 
water  losses  from  this  ai'ea.  Ap])arently  canal  delivery  into  this  area 
can  be  deci-eased  without  shortage  in  the  (!rop  supply  if  the  gi'ound 
water  is  held  at  the  levels  of  1924  and  1925. 


Shafter,  Wasco  and   McFarland   Area. 

This  area  extends  from  the  Rosedale  area  on  the  south  to  the  north 
as  far  as  canals  from  Kern  River  or  Poso  Creek  affect  the  ground 
water  conditions.  Jt  extends  from  the  Lerdo  ('anal  on  the  east  to  the 
western  edge  of  general  ])umping  above  the  valley  trough  area.  The 
gross  area  is  181,000  aci-es.  The  area  now  irrigated  by  pumping  is 
45,000  aci'es.  The  Mica  irrigated  from  canals  varies  with  the  available 
canal  supply  from  a  small  acreage  to  20,000  acres  or  more  in  years  of 
large  stream  flow. 


22  Depart mcui  of  VnhUc  Worl!S. 

Prior  to  canal  eonsti-uction  tlie  LTOund  water  stood  al)out  ffty  feet 
l)eloAv  present  levels.  The  only  sources  of  supply  were  Peso  Creek 
and  such  very  limited  fi^round  water  movement  as  may  have  occurred 
from  the  foothill  areas  to  the  east.  Seepage  from  Kern  lliver  does  not 
reach  this  area.  Pu!iipin«-  lias  Ix'cn  extensively  developed  near  Shafter. 
AVasco  and  McFarland.  The  ground  water  secured  is  mainly  that 
resulting  from  percolation  losses  from  the  canal  use  on  the  hii^her 
lands.  Outward  movement  of  ground  water  probably  occurs  to  areas 
to  the  west. 

An  analysis  of  tlie  available  records  indicates  that  the  consumptive 
use  of  moisture  is  about  2.0  acre-feet  per  acre  of  cropped  area  and  that 
the  outward  ground  water  movement  may  amount  to  25,000  acre-feet 
per  year.  These  results  when  applied  to  the  present  areas  irrigated 
represent  a  total  requij'cment  in  excess  of  the  average  supplies  now 
received.  AVith  present  development  and  average  water  supply  condi- 
tions a  ground  water  lowering  of  about  1.5  feet  per  year  Avould  be 
expected. 

Studies  of  available  sources  of  additional  canal  su2)i)l\'  for  this  area 
are  being  made  by  the  Kern  River  "Water  Storage  District.  The  pre- 
ceding conclusions  are  based  on  the  present  conditions  of  canal  delivery. 

Northern   Kern  County  Area. 

The  elfect  of  Kern  River  ("anals  and  Poso  Ci-eek  does  not  extend 
to  the  nortliern  boimdary  of  Kern  ("ount.x'.  The  only  source  of  supply 
for  the  remainiiiL;-  area  is  Rag  (4ul(h  whose  erratic  run-off  has  been 
estimated  as  an  average  of  3500  acre-feet  per  j'car.  The  pumping 
draft  in  1921  was  estimated  as  9000  acre-feet.  This  has  increased 
since  1921.  Ground  Mater  recoi-ds  are  not  complete  in  this  area  but 
lowering  has  occurred  and  can  only  be  expected  to  continue  under 
existing  conditions. 

Lower  Areas  in    Kern   County. 

These  areas  represent  lands  along  tin-  lower  course  of  Kern  River 
mainly  in  the  valley  trough. 

The  Pioneer  Canal  area  receives  canal  irrigation.  Some  pumping 
is  developed  but  additional  draft  appears  f(>asible. 

In  the  Goose  Lake  Slough  area  about  5000  acres  are  irrigated,  largely 
from  artesian   floAv.     No  present  overdraft  is  apparent   in  this  area. 

In  the  Button  AVillow  area  there  is  little  ground  water  development. 
Deep  wells  tlow  sufficiently  for  stock  use.  ToAvard  the  north  some 
wells  encounter  water  of  poor  (|uality.  A  few  wells  of  good  yield 
have  been  secured  recently  at  the  south  end  of  the  area.  The  generally 
fine  texture  of  the  water  bearing  materials  makes  it  difficult  to  secure 
good  yields  in  parts  of  the  area. 

There  is  not  much  ])innping  for  agricultural  uses  in  the  area  south 
of  Tulrire  Lake.  Some  deep  wells  are  in  successful  use.  There  has 
l)een  activity  in  j)umping  for  duck  club  use  in  parts  of  this  area  in 
recent  vears. 


Ground  Water  Resources,  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.      23 


CHAPTER  II. 

GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  OF  SOUTHERN  SAN  JOAQUIN 

VALLEY. 

This  report  presents  the  results  of  a  study  of  the  ground  water 
resources  of  the  southern  half  of  the  San  Joaquin  Valley  extending 
from  the  southern  end  to  and  including  the  Kings  River  area.  The 
rapid  increase  in  the  use  of  ground  water  for  irrigation  in  this  terri- 
tory in  recent  years,  with  the  resulting  lowering  of  the  elevation  of 
the  ground  water  in  many  parts  of  the  area,  makes  the  study  of  these 
conditions  an  important  part  of  the  State's  Avater  resources  investiga- 
tion. Should  these  Avaters  continue  to  recede,  extensive  areas  of  inten- 
sively cultivated  land  dependent  upon  irrigation  will  be  without  a 
water  supply. 

Ground  waters,  like  surface  water  supplies,  must  have  a  source,  the 
volume  of  which  limits  the  amount  of  draft  that  can  be  permanently 
supplied.  The  measurement  of  the  volume  of  surface  water  supplies 
has  been  a  recognized  field  of  endeavor  for  over  twenty  years.  Develop- 
ment of  these  supplies  has  been  based  on  the  knowledge  so  obtained. 
Similar  records  of  ground  water  supplies  have  been  attempted  _  only 
in  recent  years  although  there  is  the  same  need  for  making  available 
information  regarding  the  extent  of  ground  water  supplies  that  there 
is  for  surface  streams.  The  physical  conditions  involved  increase  the 
difficulty  of  determining  the  extent  of  ground  water  supplies.  Such 
difficulty,  however,  does  not  remove  the  need  for  such  information  but 
rather  increases  it,  for  without  such  information  not  even  approxima- 
tions to  the  supply  can  be  made. 

The  serious  nature  of  the  problems  now  confronting  several  large 
sections  of  the  area,  and  the  dropping  ground  water  level  paralleling 
the  complete  utilization  of  local  supplies,  has  made  it  desirable  to 
assemble  all  the  information  possible.  The  great  volume  of  data  collected 
for  this  report  strongly  supi)ort  the  deductions  concerning  the  present 
condition  of  this  supply  and  the  great  danger  confronting  these  com- 
munities unless  cognizance  is  taken  of  these  conditions  so  that  remedial 
measures  may  be  undertaken. 

DATA  AVAILABLE  ON   GROUND  WATER. 

The  State  Department  of  Engineering  undertook  active  studies  of 
ground  Avater  conditions  in  parts  of  this  area  in  1920.  Prior  to  this, 
some  general  studies  had  been  made  by  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey, 
the  results  of  which  are  reported  in  Water  Sup]>ly  Papers  222  and 
398.  In  1920,  in  cooperation  with  Kern  and  Tulare  counties  and 
other  interests,  studies  of  the  local  Avater  resources,  both  surface  and 
underground,  Avere  ])egun  in  these  tAvo  counties.  The  results  of  these 
investigations  Avere  ])ul)lished  for  Kern  County  in  Bulletin  No.  9  of 
the  Stale  Department  of  Engineering,  and  for  Tulare  County  in 
Bulletin  No.  8  of  the  Division  of  Engineering  and  Irrigation;  the 
reorganization  of  the  State's  Engineering  Department  haA'ing  resulted 


24  1)<  paiiiix  III   (if  I'lihlic    Works. 

in  the  clianire  in  uaino.  T-5cginnin^-  in  1!I21,  ol)S('rvations  of  the  fluctua- 
tion of  the  o'round  ■water  witliin  tlieii-  own  areas  were  undertaken  by 
several  of  the  irrigation  nnits  on  Kinirs  River.  With  the  filing  of  the 
petition  for  the  organization  of  the  Kings  River  Water  Conservation 
Disti-iet  in  ]!)24,  these  records  have  been  before  the  department  in  its 
investigations  of  this  district. 

Following  the  completion  of  the  investigations  <iji  which  bulletins 
!>  and  .'{  mentioned  above  were  based,  ground  water  records  have  been 
continued  in  l)oth  Kern  aiid  Tulare  counties  by  local  inlci-ests.  In 
Kern  County  the  Kern  Kivcr  Water  Storage  District  has  maintained 
i[uite  complete  I'ccords  since  its  oi-gani:<ation.  ()bs(;ivations  have  also 
been  made  by  the  Kern  County  Land  Com])any.  Supplemental  records 
were  secured  b\  the  Division  of  Engineering  and  Irrigation  in  Tulare 
Comity  in  the  fall  of  1922  and  1924.' 

In  the  Kings  Kivcr  area  the  available  records  up  to  tiie  Tall  of  1925 
consist  of  the  observations  made  by  the  individual  irrigation  districts 
and  other  forms  of  organization.  These  are  of  varjdng  extent  as  to 
both  the  period  covered  and  the  completeness  and  detail  of  the 
observations. 

Beginning  in  August,  1925,  funds  have  been  made  available  jointly 
by  the  Division  of  Engineering  and  Irrigation  and  of  Water  Rights 
for  the  field  and  office  work  in  collecting  and  recording  observations 
being  made  by  all  of  these  organizations  and  for  the  making  of  direct 
observations  in  areas  for  which  recor'ds  were  not  being  obtained.  This 
work  has  been  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  C.  L.  Kaupke,  watermaster 
on  Kings  River. 

Through  these  various  agencies  records  ai-e  now  being  secured  on  the 
ground  Avater  fluctiiations  over  practically  all  of  the  area  of  the  San 
Joacpiin  V^alley  from  the  Kings  River  area  south.  All  of  these  records 
liave  been  made  available  for  the  pi'ef)aration  of  this  report.  The  con- 
text of  this  re{)ort  is  based  on  the  recoi'ds  of  about  800  wells  in  the  Kings 
River  areas,  800  wells  in  the  Tulare  County  ai'eas,  and  700  wells  in  Kei-n 
County. 

MAPS   DELINEATING   GROUND   WATER   CONDITIONS. 

In  the  discusion  of  the  gi'ound  water  conditions  for  any  large  area 
some  features  can  be  discussed  for  th(^  entire  area,  others  are  local 
in  character  and  recpiire  discussion  by  localities.  Jn  order  to  avoid 
repetition,  the  general  features  are  discussed  for  the  area  as  a  whole, 
followed  by  the  detail  discussion  of  tlie  data  pertaining  to  tlie  local 
ai-eas.  The  elevation  of  the  ground  water,  its  dejitli  below  the  ground 
surface  and  the  dro])  in  the  water  ])lane  during  the  last  five  years  havi; 
been  delineated  on  maps  of  the  southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.  These 
maps  are  in  the  ])ocket  at  the  end  of  this  report. 

Ground  Water  Contour  Map. 

Ma})  No.  1  shows  ground  water  contours  that  indicate  the  elevation 
of  the  water  table  over  the  entire  area.  The  location  and  number  of 
all  wells  to  which  reference  is  made  in  the  text  and  on  the  plates  is 
shown  ou  this  map.     Other  wells  for  which  data  is  available  which 


Gnnnul    Wnirr   Rtsmircrs,   Sauflirni    S<in   Joaquin    Valley.       25 

were  usod  in  proparint:-  the  ninps  and  in  doterniinin^  ground  water 
fluctuations  are  shown  without  nuinhcrs  on  the  map.  The  number  and 
location  of  such  wells  shows  the  extent  and  thoi-oughness  with  which 
tlie  ground  water  ohso'vatioris  have  covered  the  different  areas. 

The  elevations  on  the  srrourid  water  contours  are  the  heights  above 
sea  level  datum.  The  ground  water  contours  join  points  at  which  the 
ground  water  stood  at  the  same  elevation.  They  have  a  similar  use- 
fulness in  showing  the  loeation  and  slope  of  the  ground  water  table 
as  surface'  contours  liave  in  showing  th,'  ground  surface.  The  ground 
\vater  elevations  of  Oi-tol)er,  1925.  were  used  as  the  basis  for  Map  No.  1, 
as  this  represents  recent  conditions  at  the  season  of  the  year  when 
fluctuations  were  occurring  at  a  minimum  rate.  Observations  are 
also  more  comph^tely  available  ovci-  tlie  Avhole  area  for  1925  than  for 
earlier  years. 

Ground  Avater  movement  occurs  mainly  along  the  direction  of  the 
steepest  ground  water  slopes.  Such  steepest  slopes  are  at  right  angles 
to  the  direction  of  the  cojitours.  Map  No.  1  shows  many  features  of 
interest  regarding  the  ground  water  in  this  area. 

The  division  of  the  ground  water  slope  at  the  divide  of  Kings  River 
near  Sununit  Lake  is  shown  by  the  ground  water  contoui's.  The  drain- 
age of  the  ground  water  toward  the  San  Joaquin  River  in  the  area 
north  of  Fresno  is  also  shown  by  the  direction  of  the  slope.  SufScient 
data  was  not  avilable  from  which  to  plot  the  ground  water  contours 
west  of  Fresno  Slough  and  the  contours  in  this  area  are  not  shown. 
The  ground  water  slope  toward  Tulare  Lake  from  the  north  and  east 
is  shown.  A  similar  slope  from  the  south  and  west  would  probably 
be  shown  if  sufficient  well  records  on  which  to  base  contours  in  these 
areas  were  available. 

The  effect  of  pumping  in  the  vicinity  of  Lindsay  is  shown  on  Map 
No.  1.  Prior  to  pumping  the  ground  water  sloped  from  the  east  toward 
the  west  as  in  other  areas  adjacent  to  the  valley  edge.  The  lowering  in 
this  area  has  created  a  cone  of  depression  into  Avhich  the  ground  water 
slopes  from  all  directions.  This  reverses  the  natural  direction  of  the 
ground  water  slope  on  the  west  of  this  area. 

^lap  No.  1  also  shc»ws  why  the  ground  Avater  in  the  different  parts 
of  the  area  depends  on  the  local  sources  of  supply  rather  than  on  any 
general  or  mingled  sources.  The  ground  water  on  the  Kaweah  Delta 
has  an  elevation  of  400  feet  at  the  upper  point  of  the  delta ;  its  eleva- 
tion is  only  200  feet  at  the  outer  and  lower  edge  of  the  delta.  The  main 
area  of  the  Kaweah  Delta  is  above  the  ground  water  in  the  valley  trough 
and  can  not  be  affected  by  the  lower  ground  water  in  the  valley  trough, 
n round  water  along  the  general  east  side  of  the  valley  has  a  slope  of 
about  fen  feet  ])er  mile  toward  the  valley  trough.  There  is  very  little 
cross  slope  from  the  ground  w^ater  in  one  stream  area  toward  adjacent 
stream  areas. 

In  Kern  County  a  ground  water  depression  in  the  area  above  the 
Ea.st  Side  Canal  southeast  of  Bakersfield  has  been  caused  in  recent 
years  by  the  pumping  in  this  area.  The  flatter  slope  of  the  ground 
water  above  the  canal  than  that  below  the  canal  indicates  the  effect 
of  the  canal  on  the  adjacent  ground  water. 


26  Department  of  Puhlic  Works. 

Depth  to  Ground  Water   Map. 

Map  Xo.  2  shows  the  depth  to  <>'roiind  water  for  the  parts  of  the 
area  for  whicli  data  is  available.  The  depths  shoA\Ti  represent  the  dis- 
tance from  the  ground  surface  to  the  ground  water  when  the  pumps 
are  idle.  When  pumping  the  ground  water  in  the  wells  lowers  hy  an 
amount  neee.^sary  to  cause  tlie  flow  of  water  into  the  well.  This  lower- 
ing while  pumping  is  usually  called  the  drawdown.  The  actual  pump- 
ing lifts  in  any  area  will  exceed  the  depths  shown  on  Map  No.  2  by 
the  amount  of  such  drawdown.  For  usual  conditions  in  this  area  the 
drawdown  is  from  ten  to  twenty  feet.  Where  tight  materials  are 
heavily  pumped  the  drawdown  may  lie  forty  to  fifty  feet. 

In  the  areas  receiving  adequate  canal  service  the  ground  Avater  is 
generally  less  than  twenty  feet  below  the  ground  surface.  In  many 
areas  it  is  within  ten  feet.  Until  the  dry  year  of  1924  and  the  recent 
increase  in  supplemental  pumping  it  Avas  less  than  five  feet  in  some 
areas. 

The  depth  to  ground  water  increases  generally  in  the  areas  away 
from  canals  and  streams.  It  is  ereater  near  the  eastern  edge  of  the 
valley  Avliere  the  depth  exceeds  100  feet  in  many  areas.  In  some  cases 
depths  a.s  large  as  200  feet  are  found. 

The  effect  of  ground  water  lowering  due  to  heavy  draft  is  shown  in 
some  areas.  This  is  illustrated  in  the  area  Avest  of  Tulare  and  near 
Tipton  and  Earlimart. 

Depth  to  ground  Avater  in  much  of  the  valley  trough  area  is  not 
shoAvn  on  Map  No.  2.  Most  of  this  area  was  formerly  artesian  and  Avells 
floAved.  Recent  pumping  has  resulted  in  the  loss  of  the  artesian  pres- 
sure and  the  Avater  in  the  Avells  usually  stands  beloAv  the  ground  sur- 
face. IIoAA-ever,  the  depth  to  Avater  fluctuates  during  the  season  and 
can  not  be  adequately  shoAvn  on  a  map  representing  depths  at  a 
selected  date. 

Map   Showing   Ground    Water   Lowering. 

Map  No.  ;j  sliOAVs  the  ground  Avater  lowering  from  the  fall  of  15)20  to 
the  fall  of  ]92'5  for  those  parts  of  the  southern  San  Joaquin  Valley 
for  Avliich  the  data  is  available.  In  the  Kings  River  area  observations 
Avere  not  begun  until  1921  or  later  in  the  different  parts  of  the  area. 
In  the  main  canal  areas  on  Kings  River  the  lowering  has  been  less 
than  ten  feet  and  in  most  of  these  areas  less  than  five  feet  for  the  last 
four  years.  Most  of  this  loAvering  occurred  in  1924.  In  some  outlying 
areas  larger  amounts  of  loAvering  have  occurred. 

Map  No.  3  shoAAS  the  lowering  in  the  main  pumping  areas  in  Tulare 
County.  The  lowering  has  exceeded  tAventy  feet  in  areas  di.stant  from 
direct  sources  of  .supply  in  Avhich  heavy  pumping  is  practiced.  The 
conditions  resultintr  in  such  loAvering  are  discussed  in  detail  for  each 
area  in  C'hai)ter  IV.  In  a  fcAv  areas  no  loAverijig  occurred.  Lines  of 
no  fluctuation  for  1922  and  1925  are  also  shoAvn.  AVithin  these  areas 
no  loAveriug  occurred  in  these  years.  In  1922  the  stream  fioAV  AA'as 
somcAvhat  above  normal  and  in  1925  someAvhat  beloAv. 

In  Kern  County  a  loAvering  of  as  much  as  thirty  feet  occurred  in 
some  of  the  Wasco  and  Shaffer  area  for  these  A-ears.     Less  than  fiA'c 


GrouiiiJ    Wttid-  Ju sources,  SouUicrn  San  Joaquin  Valley.       27 

foe't  loweriii'i'  occurred  in  tlic  iiuiin  canal-scrvcd  areas.  Above  the 
East  Side  Canal  the  i:round  \vatei-  lowered  as  nim-li  as  twenty  feet 
in  the  areas  of  heaviest  pniu[)inij-. 

GENERAL  GROUND  WATER  CONDITIONS. 

In  general  the  ground  water  conditions  throughout  most  of  the 
southern  San  Joaquin  Valley  are  relatively  favorable  for  the  securing 
of  ade(|uate  yields  fi'om  Avells  of  moderate  depths.  Within  the  main 
delta  areas  of  the  larger  streams,  wells  of  less  than  200  feet  depth  will 
usually  yield  discharges  of  one  second-foot  or  more  with  drawdowns  of 
less  than  twenty  feet.  Such  plants  have  generally  nsed  centrifugal 
])umps  set  in  shallow  pits.  Many  such  wells  are  less  than  seventy-five 
feet  deep. 

In  areas  more  distant  from  the  streams  where  the  materials  are  gen- 
erally finer  in  texture  the  water  stands  deeper  and  deeper  wells  are 
re(pnred  to  secure  adequate  yields.  Even  in  such  areas  welLs  of  less 
than  200  feet  deep  were  formerly  frequently  used.  Present  practice 
tends  toward  wells  of  greater  depth  equipped  with  deep  well  turbines. 
Larger  diameter  Avells  are  used  and  generally  larger  discharges  secured 
than  from  the  shallow  Avells.  Such  wells  generally  vary  from  300  to 
500  feet  deep. 

In  some  parts  of  the  area  such  as  the  valley  trough  and  west  side 
there  is  little  available  ground  water  in  the  surface  materials  and 
even  deeper  wells  are  required.  These  wells  may  vary  from  600  to  2000 
feet  in  depth  in  different  areas.  The  water  stands  much  closer  to  the 
ground  surface  in  these  wells  than  the  depths  at  which  it  is  encountered. 
Many  of  the  deep  wells  formerly  flowed.  Such  deep  plants  cost  from 
!|^8,000  to  $20,000  to  install  and  equip.  In  order  to  reduce  the  cost 
of  the  water  secured  they  are  usually  operated  nearly  continuously, 
enough  land  being  served  in  different  crops  to  utilize  the  discharge 
throughout  most  of  the  year. 

Very  few  dry  holes  are  encountered  in  drilling  in  any  part  of  the 
southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.  The  valley  fill  varies  in  the  coarseness 
of  its  texture  but  wells  in  almost  all  parts  of  the  area  will  encounter 
water  bearing  strata  at  some  depth.  Usual  well  logs  consist  of 
alternating  strata  of  sands  and  clays.  The  clay  or  sand  strata  in 
adjacent  Avells  frequently  occur  at  different  depths  indicating  that 
the  materials  have  been  deposited  under  irregular  conditions  such  as 
those  now  in  effect  along  the  present  surface  streams. 

GROUND  WATER  AS  A  SOURCE  OF  IRRIGATION  SUPPLY. 

The  cost  of  water  secured  by  i)umping  is  usually  larger  than  the 
cost  of  water  delivered  l)y  the  canal  systems  in  this  area.  Where  canal 
service  is  available  it  is  generally  used  in  preference  to  dependence  on 
pumping.  IIoAvever,  canal  service  in  the  southern  San  Joaquin  Valley 
is  dependent  on  the  direct  flow  of  the  streams,  no  storage  for  irrigation 
having  as  yet  been  constructed  on  the  tributary  streams.  In  order 
to  utilize  the  unregulated  stream  flow  as  fully  as  is  feasible,  canals 
have  been  constructed  Avhich  are  able  to  secure  stream  flow  only  during 
relatively  short  diversion  seasons.     The  service  under  such  canals  is 


28  l)( ixifhnnil   of  I'lihiu'    WoiLs. 

usually  in  excess  of  crop  ueeds  during:  the  diversion  period  in  oi'der 
to  build  up  th(^  jjround  water  for  us(>  in  the  later  seasons.  In  many  areas 
the  divei'sions  have  brouiiht  tlie  «i'rouiid  water  sufHci(Mitly  close  to  the 
surface  so  that  sul)irri<ration  occurs. 

In  recent  years  the  change  toward  crops  of  higher  return  and  greater 
sensitiveness  to  shortage  in  sujiply  has  led  to  the  installation  of  many 
pumpi ug  plants  to  supplement  the  water  secured  from  canals.  Develop- 
ment of  this  character  has  been  more  extensive  in  the  last  three  or 
four  years  than  that  based  on  pumping  for  the  entire  supply. 

Ground  water  has  advantages  over  canal  supplies  which  may  tend 
to  partly  balance  its  increased  cost.  Each  owiiei"  is  independent  in  his 
times  of  operation  and  is  not  sul),ject  to  delivery  schedules  such  as  are 
a  necessity  under  canal  service.  If  the  stream  secured  from  the 
well  is  sufficiently  large  to  furnish  an  adecjuate  irrigation  head,  the 
times  of  irrigation  can  be  adjusted  more  closely  to  the  crop  needs 
than  is  always  possible  under  a  canal.  Most  wells  in  this  area  fiu'nish 
an  adequate  stream  for  furrow  irrigation. 

In  many  parts  of  the  southern  San  Joaquin  Valley  grouiul  Avater  is 
the  only  soui-ce  of  supply  available.  The  rate  of  the  development  has 
varied  with  the  pruspei-tive  crop  returns.  In  periods  of  anticipated 
high  crop  returns  many  new  plants  have  usually  been  installed.  When 
the  expected  crop  returns  have  not  been  realized,  the  anticipated  profits 
have  been  reduced  or  have  disappeared.  A  pumping  plant  in  most  parts 
of  this  area  reipiires  several  years  use  to  return  its  cost. 

CLIMATE. 

The  climatic  conditions  in  the  southern  8an  Joa(|uin  Valley  are 
favorable  for  the  production  of  a  wide  diversity  of  crops.  Temperature 
conditions  are  favorable  generally.  Citrus  crops  prosper  on  the  higher 
levels  along  the  margins  of  the  valley.  Crops  generally  grown  are 
deciduous  orchards,  vineyards,  alfalfa,  cotton,  grain  and  truck. 

The  mean  annual  rainfall  in  the  area  varies  from  about  5  inches  in 
the  southern  end  to  about  10  iiiche>  in  the  north.  This  occurs  mainly 
during  the  winter  montlis  and  is  inadequate  to  furnish  sufficient  mois- 
ture for  crops.  The  agricultural  production  of  the  entire  area  is  almost 
wholly  dependent  on  iri'igation. 

SOILS. 

As  ill  aii\-  lai'ue  area,  much  variation  in  soils  occurs.  Considered  as 
a  whole,  the  soils  are  good;  for  much  of  the  areas  the  soils  are  of 
good  texture  and  di'i)tli.  free  from  alkali  and  suited  to  a  wide  variety 
of  crops.  Some  lands  are  undei'lain  at  small  depths  with  hardpan 
which  affects  moisture  movement.  Other  areas  are  alkaline,  some 
from  natural  causes  and  others  from  the  results  of  irrigation.  The 
results  of  surveys  by  the  TI.  S.  Bureau  of  Soils  have  been  published 
and  are  now  available  over  the  whole  area. 

WATER    SUPPLY. 

The  only  sources  of  ground  water  supph'  entering  this  area  as  a 
whole  are  the  surface  run-otf  of  the  tributary  streams  and  rain  falling 
on  the  overlvino-  gronnd  surface.     The  amount  of  rainfall  is  so  small 


Gvuund    Waicr  Resources,  SoidlKm    Sun   Joaquin   Valley.       29 

that  it  can  be  of  only  very  limited,  if  any,  aid  as  a  direct  source  of 
ground  Avater  on  the  valley  area.  It  is  only  in  areas  of  high  ground 
water  that  any  moisture  may  reach  the  ground  water  from  the  direct 
penetration  of  the  5  to  10  inches  of  mean  annual  rainfall. 

In  the  adjacent  foothills  are  areas  receiving  larger,  but  still  small, 
precipitation  where,  due  to  the  rougher  topography,  some  local  run-oft' 
occurs  which  is  absorbed  before  it  reaches  definite  channels.  However, 
even  in  these  areas  the  rainfall  is  relatively  light,  not  exceeding  15  to 
{)(.'rhai)s  20  inches.  Any  absorption  from  such  amounts  of  rainfall 
wouUl  l)e  very  limited.  It  is  very  doul)tful  if  more  than  a  very  small 
percentage  of  the  rainfall  on  such  areas  penetrates  below  the  reach  of 
plant  roots.  Rainfall  is  not  regarded  as  a  source  of  any  material 
amount  of  ground  water  for  the  area  as  a  w^hole. 

The  main  source  of  water  supply  for  the  southern  Ran  Joaquin  Valley 
consists  of  the  surface  run-oft'  of  the  streams  draining  the  higher 
adjacent  mountain  areas.  Such  mountain  areas  are  mainly  granitic 
and  no  appreciable  amount  of  absorption  or  of  outward  ground  water 
movement  can  be  expected.  As  the  stream  gaging  stations  are  located 
within  the  areas  of  the  older  formations,  they  are  above  areas  where 
loss  from  the  stream  channel  would  occur.  The  measured  stream 
flow  can  be  used  with  assurance  that  it  represents  all  of  the  water 
supply  from  its  drainage  area  above  the  points  of  measurement.  Such 
stream  flow  records  are  available  for  all  of  the  main  streams.  There 
ai-e  a  number  of  smaller  and  lower  drainage  areas  for  which  only 
partial  or  no  records  are  available.  Various  estimates  of  the  average 
run-oft'  of  these  areas  have  been  made. 

Estimates  based  on  the  period  of  actual  records  on  the  measured 
streams  and  on  estimates  for  those  not  measured  were  prepared  in 
connection  with  bulletins  9  and  3  previously  mentioned  and  in  the 
investigations  of  the  proposed  Kings  River  Water  Conservation  District. 
These  estimates  have  been  extended  to  include  the  measured  run-oft' 
for  several  more  years.  The  inclusion  of  the  records  for  the  years 
since  Imlletins  9  and  3  were  prepared  results  in  a  reduction  in  the 
average  run-off  based  on  the  earlier  records  due  to  the  deficient  run-off 
of  recent  years.     The  results  are  as  follows: 

Estimated     Total     Mean     Annual     Run-off    from     Drainage     Basins     Tributary    to    the 
Southern   San   Joaquin   Valley   Based   on   Period   of   Direct   Measurements. 

Estimated  7-un-off,  • 

,^      .  „      .  aci-e-feet,     '  J'eriod  of 

Drainage  Basin  mean  seasunnl  measurement 

West     Sifle     Strnam.s 10,000 

Streams   South  of  Caliente  Creek 28,200 

Caliente  Creek 35,400 

Kern    Kiver    T.'il.oOti  1S93-19''0 

I'oso  Creek 20,000  ]<t'>fl_in5r 

Other  Small  Areas  North  of  Caliente  Creek__         11,300  '" 

Jiag    (iuic'h     3,500 

White    Creek    G,300 

Fountain    Springs    . l.OOo 

Deer    Creek    IS.yuo  1'iH)_iq9- 

Tule    River    l;;2.00(i  1  iiii'l-iqy'- 

Frazier    Valley    500  "  "'' 

L:\vis     Creek     1,500 

VoUolil    ('reek    4,000 

K'aweali    Jiiver    -1I(J,(I00  rurj-]  <)•>- 

ruitoiiuood    I'reek     7,000  '    '       " ""' 

•  'uttunwood  Creek   to   Kings  River 7,700 

Kings     River    1,803,000  lN9')-l!)->-, 

Areas  North  of  Kings  River 7,700 

Tntal      3,289,000 


;U)  DrptiiiiiK  )il   of  J'uhlic    Works. 

USE  OF  SURFACE  WATER  SUPPLY. 

At  the  present  time  nearly  all  the  tributary  run-off  of  surface 
streams  is  utilized  for  irritration ;  however,  some  loss  occurs  by  out- 
flow thi'ouiili  Fresno  Slouuli.  the  only  channel  loadino;  away  from 
tile  southern  San  rJoaiiuiii  Valley,  or  liy  evaporation  from  low 
areas  in  which  surplus  How  accumulates  or  is  stored.  Kings  River 
is  the  only  stream  that  contributes  to  Fresno  Slough.  Under  the 
recently  existing  conditions,  the  average  annual  amount  of  outflow  from 
Kings  River  through  Fresno  Slough  is  estimated  to  have  been  about 
850,000  acre-feet.  This  varies  from  practically  nothing  in  years  of 
small  run-off  to  large  amounts  in  years  of  excessive  rainfall. 

A  portion  of  the  run-off  of  Kings  River  and  the  surplus  run-off  of 
Kern,  Tule  and  Kaweah  rivers  collects  in  Tulare  Lake.  In  past  times, 
Tulare  Lake  has  varied  from  dryness  to  a  stage  that  would  produce 
overflow  to  the  north.  At  present  the  lake  bed  is  largely  reclaimed, 
the  decrease  in  inflow  due  to  diversions  for  irrigation  making  this 
possible.  However,  in  years  of  surplus  run-off",  water  in  excess  of  that 
which  can  be  used  will  collect  in  Tulare  Lake.  JMuch  of  this  can  be 
pumped  out  for  use  but  owing  to  the  shallowness  of  storage,  evapora- 
tion losses  will  be  relatively  large.  Under  existing  conditions  the 
evaporation  loss  from  Tulare  Lake  may  average  about  100,000  acre-feet 
per  annum. 

There  is  also  lo.ss  by  evaporation  in  Buena  Yista  Lake,  into  which 
part  of  the  Kern  River  empties.  This  lake  is  also  broad  and  shallow\ 
In  excess  years  the  spreading  of  the  surplus  flow  on  a  wide  area  toward 
Tulare  Lake  results  in  an  increased  evaporation  loss. 

The  total  of  all  of  these  losses  of  water  pertinent  to  present  conditions 
of  use  is  only  about  15  per  cent  of  the  total  mean  annual  run-off. 
Future  increase  in  development  based  on  the  u.se  of  the  local  streams 
of  the  southern  San  Joaquin  Valley  must  depend  on  improvements  in 
practice  rather  than  on  the  recovery  of  water  now^  lost.  Mountain 
storage  would  reduce  the  volume  of  the  present  lo.sses  but  would  not 
obviate  all  losses.  Thus  at  the  present  time  85  per  cent  of  the  mean 
annual  run-oft'  of  the  streams  is  put  to  use  and  even  with  mountain 
storage  much  more  can  not  be  made  available.  This  use  of  the  existing 
supplies  is  probably  more  complete  than  that  oii  any  other  large  area 
in  the  state.  Mountain  storage  will  result  in  making  possible  a  much 
better  ^ise  of  water  than  is  now  feasil)le  without  storage  regulation. 

AREAS  IRRIGATED. 

Lands  of  the  southern  San  Joa(|uiii  \'allcv  are  iri'igated  by  canals 
diveiting  water  by  gravity  from  tlic  .sui-face  streams  or  from  wells 
pumi)ing  from  the  underground  walei-s.  Some  lands  use  both  sources 
of  sui)ply.  The  area  served  by  canals  varies  in  different  years  with  the 
volume  oh"  the  stream  floAv.  The  area  irrigated  fluctuates  most  widely 
on  thos(>  lands  having  water  rights  of  later  [)riority  whose  water  supply 
is  sul)ject  to  wider  vaiiations  from  year  to  year.  Tlie  area  served  by 
pumps  does  not  vary  witli  tlie  annual  I'un-oiV  as  does  the  canal-served 
areas. 

The  following  table  gives  the  areas  which  are  irrigated  in  a  year  of 
normal  run-off'  in  the  southern  San  Joaquin  Valley  at  the  present  time. 


Grou7id  Water  Resources,  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.      31 

These  figures  are  based  on  data  collected  iu  the  preparation  of  this 
report  and  other  investigations  of  the  Department  of  Public  Works. 

Usual  area  Area  receiving  Area  receiving  Total 

receiving  both  canal  and  only  pump  irrigated 

canal  service  pump  service,  service,  area, 

Area                                       only,  acres              acres  acres  acres 

Kings    River    area 300,000                  335,000  100,000  735,000 

West   Side   area 30,000  30,000 

Tulare    County   areas 80,000                    65,000  170.000  315,000 

Kern    County    areas 190,000                    10,000  90,000  290,000 

Totals    570,000  410,000  390,000  1,370,000 

The  area  now  receiving  only  pump  service  is  over  2J  times  that 
irrigated  from  wells  in  1912,  as  shown  by  comparison  with  the  area 
irrigated  from  wells  in  the  report  of  the  Conservation  Commission  of 
that  year. 

These  data  show  that  a  total  area  of  1,370,000  acres  is  now  being 
irrigated  in  the  southern  San  Joaquin  Valley  with  a  total  mean 
annual  run-off  of  3,300,000  acre-feet.  This  is  equivalent  to  the  irriga- 
tion of  an  acre  of  crop  for  each  2.4  acre-feet  of  mean  annual  run-off. 
This  represents  a  very  complete  adaptation  of  crop  practice  to  existing 
conditions  of  run-off  and  an  unusually  complete  development  of  the 
available  supply.  Complete  utilization  of  the  locally  tributary  stream 
flow  could  hardly  result  in  the  irrigation  of  over  1,650,000  acres  or 
about  one-half  of  the  available  irrigable  area. 

The  latest  census  figures  on  areas  irrigated  are  those  for  1919. 
These  are  shown  in  the  following  tables.  The  figures  given  include 
small  areas  outside  of  the  floor  of  the  San  Joaquin  Valley. 


Acreage    Irrigated    Classified    by    Streams,    for    1919    and    1902,    Taken    from    Table    7, 
Irrigation — California,    Fourteenth    Census   of   the    United    States. 

Area  enterprises 
to  ere 
Area  included         capable  of 
Area  irrigated,  acres  Per  cent      in  enterprises       irrigating  in 

Drainage  Basin  1919  1902  increase        1920,  acres  1920,  acres 

Kern     River 200,641  116,189  72.7  432,481  299,665 

Tulare    Lake 70,134               204,860  147,444 

Tule     River 61,223               175,777  109,412 

Kaweah    River__  149,932               356,703  299,474 

Kings    River  ___  552,601  596,091  7.3  1,052,406  895,263 

Totals 1,034,531  2,222,227  1,751,258 

Entire    State 4,219,040  1,708,720  146.9  7,805,207  5,894,466 

The  acreage  reported  for  each  drainage  basin  in  1919  comprises  all 
the  irrigated  land  in  that  drainage  basin,  including  that  watered  from 
springs  and  wells.  The  figures  for  1902  are  the  only  prior  census  in 
which  the  areas  were  .segregated  by  drainage  basins.  The  indicated 
decrease  since  1902  on  Kings  River  is  due  to  difference  in  classification. 
There  has  been  an  actual  increase  in  the  area  irrigated  as  well  as  an 
improvement  in  the  character  of  crops  on  Kings  River  since  1902. 
The  total  area  irrigated  in  1919  was  nearly  one-fourth  the  total  of 
the  state.  It  is  interesting  to  note  tbat  the  increase  in  area  irrigated 
between  1902  and  1919  has  been  mueh  less  than  for  the  .state  as  a 
whole  because  of  the  arrival  at  practically  a  complete  utilization  of 
the  surface  water  supply  in  the  southern  San  Joaquin  Valley  some 
time  between  these  years. 


32 


Drpnrhiiciil  of  Public   Worls. 


Data  regarding  the  use  of 
same  report.    The  summary 


ground  water  in  1919  are  also  given  in  the 
data  are  as  follows: 


Capacity 

Flowing  ivclls 

Pumped  wells 

Pumping  plants 

""f 

Capacity 

Capacity 

J'Jngine 

pumps    J 

ver- 

gallons 

gullotis 

capacity 

gallons 

age 

Num-       per 

Num- 

per 

Num- 

horse- 

per 

feet 

Dramage  Basin 

ber      minute 

ber 

minute 

btj 

power 

minute 

lift 

Kern     River 

17        13,850 

441 

219,674 

384 

0,676 

223,600 

47 

Tulare    Lake 

24          8,253 

1,100 

434,565 

906 

12,841 

1,330,434 

59 

Tule    River 

2              251 

1,14G 

493,272 

974 

11,329 

995,319 

4  5 

Kaweali     River- 

3                17 

2,13(! 

842,0  85 

1,734 

21,932 

876,254 

41 

Kings     River 

34        10,000 

2,547 

1,183,710 

2,2S3 
6,281 

25,426 

1,225,007 

-■'■ 

Totals    ___ 

60        32,371 

7,370 

3,173,300 

78,204 

4.651,220 

Entire    State  ___ 

],415      297,187 

25,401 

10,008, 47(1 

21,501 

386,200 

16,773,692 

41 

The  southern  San  Joaquin  Valley  had  pumping  plants  which  repre- 
sented about  one-third  of  this  class  of  development  in  the  entire  state. 
Similar  Hguri-s  for  the  present  date  would  probably  show  even  a 
larger  proportion  ot*  the  state's  ground  water  development  to  be  in 
this  area. 

VALUE  OF  AGRICULTURAL  PRODUCTS. 

Complete  statistics  are  not  available  on  the  value  of  the  products 
from  this  irrigated  area.  As  the  crops  grown  have  a  relatively  high 
value  per  acre  and  as  the  production  is  generally  equal  to  or  above 
the  average  for  such  crops,  the  total  value  is  large.  Statistics  collected 
by  the  Tulare  County  Board  of  Trade  show  an  average  crop  value'  at  the 
farm  of  the  agricultural  products  of  Tulare  County  of  about  $30,000,000 
per  year,  or  an  average  of  nearly  $100  per  acre  from  all  classes  of 
crops.  Tlie  irrigated  areas  in  these  counties  are  probably  more  pro- 
ductive than  other  large  areas  in  the  state  and  represent  a  very 
important  and  essential  part  of  the  state's  agricultural  resources. 


GEOLOGY 

The  present  surface  of  the  southern  San  Joaquin  Valley  has  been 
formed  by  the  deposit  of  material  brought  into  the  valley  l)y  the  tribu- 
tary streams.  The  surface  is  divided  by  a  ridge  extending  across  the 
valley  formed  by  the  material  deposited  by  King.s  River.  The  amount 
of  this  material  has  been  sufficient  so  that  this  ridge  extends  across  the 
valley  to  meet  the  slope  from  the  mountains  to  the  west.  The  elevations 
on  the  ridge  are  higher  than  those  in  the  Tulare  Lake  Basin  to  the 
south.  The  other  streams  have  made  similar  Init  le.s.s  extensive  deposits. 
Kern  River  has  built  a  small  ridge  across  the  valley.  Kern  and  Buena 
Vista  lakes  lying  in  the  trough  of  the  valley  in  the  course  of  the 
Kern  River  formerly  received  part  of  the  run-off  of  Kern  River. 
Buena  Vista  Lake  is  now  used  as  a  reservoir,  an  embajikment  having 
been  built  along  its  eastern  side.  This  embankment  has  resulted  in  the 
reclaiiiatitin  of  Kern  Lake.  Tule  and  Kaweah  rivers  have  not  a 
.sufficiently  large  flow  to  have  deposited  delta.s  extending  acro.ss  the 
valle\-. 

The  total  depth  of  the  valley  till  is  not  known;  borings  to  depths 
of  over  oOOO  feet  have  not  encountered  bed  rock.  This  fill  has  been 
tleposited  in  i)ast  geologic  times,  partly  when  the  valley  was  submerged 
and  i».ir11y  iindei-  conditions  simibir  to  thos(^  at  present.     The  material 


Ground   Waier  Resources,  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.       33 

varies  in  texture  from  erravels  and  eobbles  near  the  point  at  which  the 
streams  debouch  from  their  canyons  and  along  their  channels  to  rela- 
tively tine  and  impervious  clays  deposited  in  areas  remote  from  the 
stream  channels  or  under  conditions  of  submergence.  These  circum- 
stances result  in  the  ground  water  occurring  under  different  conditions 
of  pressure  at  various  depths.  Artesian  wells  were  formerly  obtainable 
over  a  larger  part  of  the  lower  valley  floor. 

From  Porterville  north,  the  valley  All  lies  against  the  "Bedrock'* 
series  on  the  east.  From  Deer  Creek  south  to  the  southern  end  of  the 
valley  there  is  an  area  of  Tertiary  sediments  between  the  recent 
valley  All  and  the  granites.  The  formations  in  the  west  are  more  irregu- 
lar, consisting  of  shales,  sandstones  and  conglomerates. 

Tlie  following  general  descrijition  of  the  geology  of  the  valley  is 
quoted  from  Water  Supply  Paper  398  of  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey: 

"The  valley  as  a  whole  is  a  great  structural  trough  and  appears  to 
have  lieen  such  a  basin  since  well  back  in  Tertiary  time.  Since  it 
assumed  its  general  trough-like  form,  gradual  subsidence,  perhaps  inter- 
ruption In-  periods  of  uplift,  has  continued  and  has  been  accompanied 
by  deposition  alternating  at  least  along  what  is  now  its  western 
border  with  intervals  of  erosion.  This  interrupted  but  on  the  whole 
continuous  deposition  seems  to  have  l)een  marine  during  the  early 
and  middle  Tertiary ;  but  during  tlie  later  Tel'tiary  and  Pleistocene, 
when  presumably  the  valley  had  been  at  least  roughly  outlined  by  the 
growth  of  the  Coast  Ranges,  fresh-water  and  terrestrial  conditions 
became  more  and  more  predominant,  until  the  relations  of  land  and 
sea,  of  rivers  and  lakes,  of  coast  line  and  interior,  of  mountain  and 
valley,  as  they  exist  now,  were  gradually  evolved.  As  these  condi- 
tions developed,  the  ancestors  of  the  present  rivers  probably  brought 
to  the  salt  and  fresh  water  bodies  that  occupied  the  present  site  of  the 
valley  and  its  borders,  or,  in  the  latest  phases  of  the  development,  to 
the  land  surface  itself,  the  clays,  sands,  gravels,  and  alluvium  that 
subsequently  consolidated  into  the  shales,  sandstones,  and  conglom- 
erates of  the  late  Tertiary  and  Pleistocene  series,  just  as  the  present 
rivers  are  supplying  tlie  alluvium  that  is  even  now  accumulating  over 
the  valley  floor. 

"The  very  latest  of  these  accumulations  are  the  sand  and  silt  and 
gravel  beds  x^eneti-ated  by  the  driller  in  his  explorations  for  water 
throughout  the  valley.  They  are  like  the'  early  folded  sandstones,  shales, 
and  conglomerates  exposed  along  the  flanks  of  the  valley,  except  that 
they  are  generally  finer,  and  are  not  yet  consolidated  or  disturbed. 
The  gi-eater  part,  perhaps  all  of  them,  accumulated  as  stream  wash  on 
the  valley  surface  or  in  interior  lakes  like  the  present  Tulare  Lake, 
but  a  proportion  of  the  older  sediment  that  is  greater  as  we  delve 
farther  back  into  the  geologic  past  aceunuilated  in  the  sea  or  in  salt 
bays  having  free  connections  with  the  sea.  It  is  these  very  latest 
geologic  dejjosits,  saturated  below  the  ground  water  level  by  the  fresh 
water  supplied  chiefly  by  the  Sierra  streams,  that  constitute  the 
reservoirs  drawn  upon  by  tlie  wells,  whether  flowing  or  pumped, 
throughout  the  valley. 

"The  ehemicai  composition  of  the  ground  waters,  as  well  as  their 
occurrence  and   accessibility,    is   related    to   the  geology.     Where  the 

3 — 4707C 


34  Department  of  Puhlic  Worka. 

valle.y  alhiviuiii  is  derived  from  tlm  C'retaeeons  and  Tertiary  beds  of  the 
coast  ranges,  rich  in  f»ypsuiii  and  other  readily  sohihle  minerals,  the 
o-round  waters  contain  larji'e  quantities  of  the  salts.  Where,  on  the  other 
hand,  the  alluvium  is  derived  from  the  grranites  and  metamorphic 
rocks  of  the  Sierra,  wliose  potassium,  sodium,  and  calciinu  compounds 
are  in  the  form  of  diffictdtly  s()lul)le  silicates,  the  ground  waters  uiuler 
ordinary  conditions  contain  very  little  of  these  salts." 

The  Kinjsj.s  River  ridge  is  considered  to  separate  the  ground  water 
of  the  San  Joaquin  Valley  into  two  areas,  that  to  the  south  heing,  prac- 
ticall>',  if  not  entirely,  a  closetl  basin.  Tlie  ground  water  contours  on 
Map  No.  1  show  a  similar  ridge  or  division  in  the  ground  water  to  that 
of  the  ground  surface.  The  same  nature  of  direction  of  slope  of  the 
pressure  levels  of  artesian  wells  is  also  indicated  by  the  available  data. 
While  available  records  do  not  indicate  the  pressure  levels  from  wells 
sufficiently  deep  to  represent  the  full  valley  cross  section,  those  from  all 
depths  from  which  the  ground  water  has  as  yet  been  used  indicate  a 
similar  character  and  direction  of  the'  ground  Avatei-  slojie.  It  appears 
logical  to  assiune  that  any  outward  northward  ground  water  movement 
from  the  area  south  of  the  Kings  River  ridge  that  maj''  occur  is  of 
such  small  amount  that  it  may  be  neglected  in  a  consideration  of  the 
ground  water  supply  and  that  the  area  under  discussion  in  this  report 
is  for  practical  purposes  a  closed  basin. 

QUALITY  OF  GROUND  WATERS. 

Over  much  the  larger  portion  of  the  southern  San  Joaquin  Vallej^ 
the  quality  of  the  ground  water  is  good.  For  waters  secured  from 
the  formations  derived  from  the  ('oast  Range  or  from  the  older  materials 
on  the  east  side,  the  ((uality  is  variable.  In  some  areas  waters  vary  in 
(juality  at  different  depths.  A  detailed  discussion  of  the  quality  of 
the  ground  waters  is  included  in  AVater  Supply  Paper  398  of  the 
U.  S.  Geological  Survey  based  on  analyses  made  in  1910.  Analyses 
were  nuide  in  Kern  County  in  1920  in  connection  with  the  investiga- 
tions of  the  Division  of  Engineering  and  Irrigation.  Results  of 
analyses  made  by  private  investigations  have  also  been  available.  In 
order  to  supplement  available  data  and  make  them  more  complete, 
about  30  samples,  mainly  from  deep  wells  in  the  valley  trough  and 
west  side  areas,  were  analyzed  in  the  preparation  of  this  report. 

Almost  without  exception  waters  from  the  recent  valley  fill  on  the 
east  side  of  the  valley  are  of  good  quality.  These  materials  are  derived 
from  the  granites  and  schists  of  the  Sierras.  The  surface  run-off 
from  these  same  areas  is  relatively  free  from  mineral  constituents. 
Occasional!}^  water  from  a  shallow  well  in  an  area  of  alkali  concen- 
tration may  show  high  alkali  content;  in  general  east  side  waters  from 
all  depths  can  be  used  for  irrigation  Avithout  concern  regarding  their 
quality.  In  the  southern  portion,  however,  the  older  Tertiary  forma- 
tions extend  into  the  valley  sufficiently  far  so  that  some  wells  receive 
their  supply  through  such  materials.  This  water  contains  more  impuri- 
ties and  sometimes  is  not  .suitable  for  irrigation.  These  waters  are 
characteristically  high  in  calcium  sulfate  or  gypsum. _  Water  contain- 
ing a  larger  amount  of  such  salts  can  be  used  without  harm  than  waters 
containing  the  sodium  salts.  However,  in  some  instances  harmful 
results  occur  from  irrigation  with  these  waters.     In  the  area  east  of 


Ground   Water  Resources,  Southern  San  Joaquin   Valley.       35 

Bakt'i'sfield  along  Ihc  Mesa  where  sudi  waters  are  encountered,  it  has 
been  found  that  tlie  (|nality  of  the  water  is  improved  if  the  upper 
strata  are  shut  off. 

Conditions  are  more  variabh>  in  the  vaHey  trougli  and  west  side 
area  than  on  tlie  east  side.  In  Water  Supply  Paper  398  the  axial 
and  west  side  waters  were  distinguished  as  to  quality,  the  west  side 
waters  being  characteristically  high  in  sulfates  and  the  axial  or  trough 
waters,  while  lower  in  sulfates,  were  higher  in  bicarbonates  and 
chlorides.  At  the  time  of  the  field  work  (1910)  on  which  this  paper 
is  based,  deep  wells  were  not  available  on  the  west  side  area  north 
of  Tulare  Lake  nor  in  the  western  part  of  Tulare  Lake,  so  that  the 
data  apply  to  the  shallow  west  side  wells. 

Deep  wells  are  now  in  use  on  the  west  side  area  extending  from 
Mendota  to  Tulare  Lake.  These  wells  range  from  1200  to  1600  feet  in 
depth  in  the  northern  portion  of  the  area  and  increase  to  1800  and  2000 
feet  in  depth  within  the  bed  of  Tulare  Lake.  The  use  of  such  wells 
is  recent  and  adds  to  the  data  of  Water  Supply  Paper  398. 

In  the  area  west  of  the  vallej^  trough,  the  waters  from  all  deep  wells 
sampled  contained  less  sulfate  than  that  found  in  the  shallow  wells. 
The  amount  of  the  sulfate  was  higher  than  in  the  axial  or  trough 
wells,  which  may  indicate  some  mingling  of  water  from  different  depths. 
The  materials  encountered  at  lower  depths  in  such  wells  consist  of 
granitic  sands  containing  mica  similar  to  that  secured  in  east  side 
wells.  The  character  of  the  material  and  the  quality  of  the  water 
indicate  that  the  water  in  these  deeper  wells  may  be  derived  from  east 
side  sources.  These  wells  are  perforated  only  below  depths'  of  500  to 
600  feet,  indicating  that  the  high  sulfate  water  was  probably  considered 
to  extend  to  that  depth  by  the  well  drillers.  That  these  conditions 
extend  almost  to  the  west  edge  of  the  valley  is  shown  by  a  sample 
from  a  deep  well  on  the  Chaney  Ranch  in  Sec.  T).  T.  15  S.,  R.  13,  which 
contained  no  more  sulfate  than  wells  near  Mendota. 

The  waters  from  the  northern  part  of  the  west  side  area  contain 
amounts  of  sodium,  bicarl)onate  and  chloride  which  inakes  their  con- 
tinued use  of  doubtful  value.  Several  wells  have  been  in  use  for  a 
number  of  years  but  no  definite  injury  from  the  use  of  these  waters  has 
been  observed.  The  samples  collected  show  a  larger  amount  of  sodium 
chloride  or  common  salt  in  the  wells  in  the  noi'thern  part  of  the  area 
than  in  the  southern.  Samples  from  the  southern  half  of  the  area, 
except  from  localities  of  heavy  draft,  showed  water  of  suitable  quality. 

Water  from  deep  wells  in  the  northern  and  western  portion  of 
Tulare  Lake  shoAved  a  \evy  low  sulfate  content,  the  sulfate  being 
)uuch  lower  than  that  in  the  deep  wells  in  the  west  side  area.  The 
bicarbonate  content  was  larger  and  the  chloride  similar  to  that  of 
adjacent  west  side  Avater.  Those  waters  are  moi-e  nearly  like  those 
found  in  th(>  valley  ti-ough  along  Fi-esiio  Slough  Ihan  the  west  side 
waters.  The  alkali  content  of  tliese  waters  is  largcn-  than  is  desirable; 
however,  as  they  are  used  on  lands  that  receive  irrigation  from  surface 
sources  in  sea.sons  of  favorable  run-off,  proba])ility  of  their  injury  is 
minimized. 

Along  Fresno  Slough,  deep  wells  are  in  use  by  I)oth  the  James  and 
Stinson  Irrigation  districts  as  a  part  of  their  water  suply.  Additional 
deep  wells  are  also  used  by  individuals.     The  water  from  these  wells 


36  Department  of  I'nhlic  Works. 

shows  fairl}-  large  amounts  of  liicarliouate  and  chloride  with  little 
sulfate.  The  continued  use  of  these  waters  alone  as  a  source  of  supply 
would  probably  eventually  result  in  soil  injury.  All  use  is,  however, 
as  a  partial  supply,  other  water  being  secured  either  from  canals  or 
from  other  wells. 

South  of  Tulare  Lake  the  waters  from  deep  wells  were  found  to  be 
suitable  for  irrigation  use,  except  in  a  portion  of  the  lower  and  western 
part  of  the  area.  This  area  is  inai-ke<l  out  on  ^laii  No.  2  from  the  results 
of  field  investigations  made  under  tlie  direction  of  Mr.  J.  B.  Lippincott 
in  1919.  There  is  little  use  of  ground  water  within  the  area  of  poor 
(|uality  shown  thereon. 


Ground   Wafer  Kcsonrcrs,  Soiillnni   S,ni   Joaquin    Valley.       37 


CHAPTER  III. 

GROUND  WATER  IN  KINGS  RIVER  AREA. 

Tlie  Kings  I?iv(M-  area,  as  the  term  is  here  used,  comprises  those 
areas  Avliose  groiiiul  Avater  is  derived  mainly  or  wholly  from  Kings 
River.  The  sonree  of  the  ground  water  supply  may  be  by  percolation 
directly  from  the  stream  channels  or-  liy  canal  seepage  and  percolation 
from  areas  irrigated  under  the  canal  systems  diverting  from  Kings 
River.  The  Kings  River  area  (>xtends  on  the  north  to  the  San  Joaquin 
River  and  on  the  south  to  tlu;  Kaweah  River  areas  and  Tulare  Lake. 
It  is  bounded  on  the  east  l)y  the  Sierra  foothills.  On  the  west  it 
extends  beyond  the  valley  trough  as  far  as  pumping  has  been  practiced. 
The  boundaries  are  fairly  definite  except  in  the  vicinity  of  Tulare  Lake 
and  Avest  of  tlie  valley  trough.  Records  of  ground  Avater  fluctuation  over 
this  area  are  available  for  varying  periods  in  the  different  parts.  Detail 
records  for  the  past  four  years  are'  available  in  the  Alta,  Fresno  and 
Consolidated  districts.  Less  extensive  records  are  available  for  the 
other  parts.  Also  various  scattered  records  have  been  secured  in  earlier 
Acars. 

The  ground  water  contours  shoAvn  on  Map  No.  1  indicate  the  direction 
of  slope  of  the  ground  Avater.  The  maximum  movement  of  ground 
Avater  is  in  the  direction  at  right  angles  to  the  ground  water  contours. 
Map  No.  1  shoAvs  that  a  rather  narrow  area  at  the  north  drains  toAvard 
the  San  Joaquin  River.  In  the  upper  iiortion  of  Kings  River  AAdiere 
the  river  occupies  a  deep  channel  Map  No.  1  sIioaa's  a  slope  toAvard  the 
river  channel  from  both  sides.  Westerly  from  Kingsburg  the  ground 
Avater  contours  show  a  change.  The  contours  here  shoAV  a  slope  away 
from  the  river  as  though  the  river  Avere  running  on  a  ground  Avater 
ridge.  This  indicates  that  in  this  section  AA^ater  percolates  from  the 
riA'ei"  chaiuiel  and  spreads  outAvard  into  adjacent  areas.  Map  No.  1 
shoAvs  that  this  conditio]!  folloAvs  both  channels  of  Kings  River  after  it 
divides  in  the  Aacinity  of  Summit  Lake.  The  ground  Avater  contours 
shoA\-  a  slope  both  to  the  north  and  to  the  south  from  this  diAnde,  simibar 
lo  the  sl()])e  of  tlie  ground  surface. 

For  the  purpose  of  discussing  the  available  ground  Avater,  it  may 
be  considered  that  the  Kings  River  area  is  a  closed  basin.  The  extent 
of  any  outAvard  ground  Avalei*  movement  is  so  small  that  for  practical 
])nri>oses  the  l)j)sin  can  be  considered  as  closed.  Outward  movement 
)o  Ihe  west  is  impr()l)able :  the  materials  are  rather  fine,  the  slope  flat 
and  the  Coast  Range  Mountains  are  in  the  way.  Deeper  ground  water 
nu)vement  to  the  north  luis  been  discussed  in  Chapter  T  under  Geology 
with  the  conclusion  that  it  is  either  absent  or  very  limited  in  amount. 
Some  movement  southward  into  the  Tulare  Lake  area  may  occur  but 
this  is  within  the  general  basin  area.  Movement  to  the  south  of  Tulare 
Lake  does  not  occur  as  a  reverse  ground  water  slope  from  the  south 
toAvard  the  lake  is  encountered.  Therefore  it  is  assumed  that  the 
sup])ly  and  draft  of  the  ground  water  in  the  Kings  River  area  as  a 
Avhole  can  be  treated  Avithout  alloAvance  for  material  outAvard  movement. 
The  ground  water  supply  of  the  Kings  River  area  is  derived  almost 


38 


Department  of  PuUic  Works. 


Power  consumed  by  agriculture. 


o 


(0 

S 

o 


a 
E 


o 
o 

o 
Q. 


918       1919       1920       1921       1922       1923       1924      192J 


Number  of  consumers  of  power  by  agriculture. 


1500 


1000 


500 


/y 

Z' 

A 

/ 

^ 

^ 

^ 

/ 

f^ 

— 

/ 

Oj 

f/ 

/ 

if\C^ 

/ 

<: 

^'^ 

^ 

^ 

1a 

fres^^ 

o»&^l^ 

^ 

?^ 

/ 



1914   1915   1916   1917   1918   1919   1920   1921   1922   1923   1924 


1925 


FIG.    1.      Growth    in    use    of    power    by    agriculture    for    pumping    in    Dinuba, 
Fresno  and  Selma   Districts  of  San  Joaquin   Light  and  Power  Corporation. 


L 


Ground  Water  Resources,  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.      39 

entirely  from  the  run-off  of  Kings  River.  The  run-off  of  adjacent 
small  drainage  areas  is  included  in  the  discussions  but  its  amount  is 
relatively  very  small.  Additions  to  the  ground  ^vater  occur  mainly 
through'  percolation  after  diversion  for  irrigation  rather  than  by 
losses  from  the  stream  channel  itself. 

GROWTH    OF   PUMPING    FROM    GROUND   WATER. 

The  increase  in  the  use  of  ground  water  in  the  Kings  River  area  has 
been  very  rapid  in  recent  years.  Such  pumping  constitutes  the  entire 
.supply  for  about  one-sixth  of  the  area  now  irrigated  and  the  partial 
supply  for  an  additional  two-fifths  of  the  area.  Nearly  60  per  cent 
of  the  area  irrigated  receives  some  ground  water  supplies.  Of  the  areas 
lying  to  the  north  of  Kings  River  the  Fresno  Irrigation  District  has 
30,500  acres  whose  irrigation  is  .supplied  entirely  by  pumping  from  the 
ground  water.  Much  the  larger  part  of  the  remaining  163,400  acres 
under  canal  service  is  equipped  more  or  less  completely  with  auxiliary 
well  service.  It  is  estimated  that  there  are  3500  pumping  plants  in 
this  district.  In  the  Consolidated  Irrigation  District  44,000  acres  are 
reported  as  receiving  their  entire  irrigation  supply  by  pumping  from 
wells.  The  81,500  acres  additional  which  receive  canal  service  are 
also  largely  supplied  with  supplemental  pumping  from  wells.  About 
30  to  40  per  cent  of  the  areas  in  the  Laguua  and  Riverdale  Irrigation 
districts  were  provided  with  supplies  secured  by  pumping  in  1924. 
Manj'  additional  plants  have  been  installed  since  1924. 

In  the  areas  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  in  the  Alta  Irrigation 
District  nearly  all  of  the  81,500  acres  irrigated  receives  both  canal 
and  pump  supplies.  In  the  canal  areas  in  Kings  County  little  pumping 
has  been  practiced  until  recently;  75  plants  were  reported  in  1925  in 
the  Last  Chajice  Canal  area  and  23  in  the  Lemoore  Irrigation  District. 

In  the  lower  areas,  along  the  northerly  channels  of  Kings  River, 
pumping  by  canal  organizations  as  well  as  by  individuals  is  practiced. 
The  Stinson  and  James  Irrigation  districts  secure  part  of  their  supply 
by  pumping  from  wells  into  their  canals.  To  the  south,  there  has 
been  a  rapid  increase  in  pumping  from  deep  wells  in  the  northern 
part  of  Tulare  Lake. 

A  good  indication  of  the  increase  in  pumping  in  the  upper  part  of 
the  Kings  River  area  is  furnished  by  the  records  of  the  San  Joaquin 
Light  and  Power  Corporation  for  its  Dinuba,  Selma  and  Fresno  dis- 
tribution districts  wdiich  correspond  approximately  with  the  areas 
of  the  Alta,  Consolidated  and  Fresno  Irrigation  districts.  These  rec- 
ords are  summarized  in  Fig.  1  which  shows  the  inimber  of  consumers 
of  agricultural  power  and  the  power  used  by  years.  Development  in 
the  Alta  District  began  somewhat  earlier  than  that  in  the  other  two 
areas;  pumping  in  the  Consolidated  District  or  Selma  area  although 
beginning  later  has  increased  more  rapidly.  Fig.  1  shows  a  larger 
proportional  increase  in  power  consumption  in  1924  than  in  th'e  num- 
ber of  consumers.  This  reflects  the  unusually  long  period  of  pumping 
in  1924  due  to  the  small  flow  in  Kings  River.  In  1925  the  increase  in 
number  of  consumers  was  sufficient  to  maintain  nearly  as  large  a  power 
consumption  as  in  1924  although  the  canal  supply  Avas  much  greater. 


40  Departnicvl  of  Piihlic  WorA'.s. 

Increases  in  the  imniber  of  consumers  in  1926  are  reported  to  be 
larger  than  in  the  preceding  years.  Tliese  figures  apply  only  to  the 
consumers  served  by  this  company  and  do  not  include  plants  using 
other  forms  of  power. 

It  is  difficult  to  estimate  the  present  draft  on  the  ground  water  in 
the  Kings  River  areas  due  to  its  variation  from  year  to  year.  For  the 
entire  area  there  is  probably  a  present  gross  draft  of  about  500.000 
acre-feet  per  year.  This  is  equivalent  to  nearly  30  per  cent  of  the 
mean  annual  run-off  of  Kings  River.  The  net  draft  on  the  ground 
water  is  less  tlian  this  as  some  of  the  water  pumped  returns  to  the 
groujid  Avater  by  percolation  from  the  areas  irrigated.  The  availability 
of  ground  Avater  in  this  area  prevented  serious  crop  injury  in  1924 
Avh(^n  the  i-un-off  of  Kings  River  Avas  the  ininimum  that  has  been 
recorded.  The  ground  water  ])asiiis  underlying  this  area  thus  serve 
as  an  excellent  storage  reservoir  that  fills  during  times  of  excess  run-off 
and  may  be  drawn  upon  heavily  in  times  of  shortage  in  surface  supply. 
This  condition  is  of  very  great  value  to  the  Kings  River  area  and  is 
largely  responsible  for  the  high  characti^r  of  the  present  irrigation 
development  in  ranch  of  the  area. 

METHODS  OF  ANALYSIS  OF  GROUND  WATER  CONDITIONS. 

The  conditions  of  canal  and  ground  watei-  use  vary  so  widely  in  the 
(liflFerenf  parts  of  the  Kings  Rivei-  area  that  details  must  be  discussed 
by  S(M'tio7is.  B(M'ause  the  replenishmeiit  to  the  ground  water  supplies 
comes  largely  from  percolation  from  the  canals  and  irrigated  lands, 
the  areas  covered  by  the  large  canal  systems  represent  fairly  distinct 
ground  Avater  areas  and  th.>  conditions  of  supply  and  use  can  be  best 
discussed  for  the  area  covei-ed  by  each  of  such  large  s.ysteras.  For  the 
smaller  systems  intermingling  of  ground  Avater  requires  discussion  by 
groups. 

The  general  method  of  .studying  the  ground  Avater  conditions  in 
these  areas  has  been  the  same.  This  consists  in  general  in  a  compari- 
son of  the  volume  of  ground  water  supply  against  the  volume  of  its 
use  Avith  the  resulting  effect  on  the  elevation  of  the  ground  Avater  table. 

The  most  important  element  of  ground  water  supply  is  the  diversions 
from  Kings  River  bj-rmght  into  the  area  by  canals.  Losses  to  the  ground 
Avater  occur  both  by  seepage  from  the  distribution  canals  and  by 
]>ercolation  from  th(»  lands  in-igated.  Additional  supplies  may  come 
by  ground  Avater  movement  into  the  area  from  higher  hmds.  The  use 
of  the  ground  Avater  supply  is  measured  l)y  the  draft  by  pumping  from 
Avells.  The  ground  Avater  may  be  depleted  also  by  underground  flow 
toAvard  loAver  areas  or  drainage  channels.  The  balance  between  the 
elements  of  supply  and  depletion  Avill  be  reflected  in  the  fluctuations 
in  elevation  of  the  ground  Avater  plane.  When  the  elements  of  supply 
exceed  the  elements  of  use  or  depletion  an  accumulation  of  ground 
Avater  Avill  occur  Avith  a  rise  in  the  elevation  of  the  Avater  table.  When 
the  depletion  exceeds  the  supply  a  loAvering  Avill  result.  Therefore 
the  fluctuations  record  the  balance  betA\een  the  supply  and  depletion. 
From  these  data  conclusions  can  be  reached  as  to  the  extent  of  draft 
that  can  be  supporfpd  by  the  ground  Avater  supply  Avithout  a  continued 
or  permanent  lowering  of  the  ground  water  table. 


Ground   Water  Rcsunrccs,  Southrrn   San   Joaquin  Valley.      41 

The  use  of  ground  wdtvv  j-ecjuircs  fiuetuations  in  its  elevation.  A 
ground  Avater  supply  represents  a  form  of  storage  which  must  be 
accumulated  in  the  soil  at  times  of  surplus  so  as  to  be  available  for 
use  in  times  of  need.  Fluctuations  in  the  elevation  of  the  ground 
Avater  are  a  normal  process.  A  regular  range  of  iiuetuation  indicates  a 
definite  source  of  supplj'.  Several  feet  of  lowering  within  a  season 
does  not  necessarily  indicate  overdraft. 

Tf.  however,  at  similai-  periods  during  the  season  the  ground  water 
is  progres.sively  lower  from  year  to  year  under  conditions  of  average 
supply,  draft  in  exces.s  of  the  supply  would  be  indicated.  The  ground 
water  elevation  at  the  same  time  in  different  years  when  compared  to 
the  conditions  of  supply  and  use  for  tlie  same  years  furnishes  a  basis 
for  estimating  tlie  draft  which  can  be  supported  by  the  average  supply. 

The  water  delivered  into  a  given  area  and  the  acreage  of  crops 
irrigated  were  obtained  from  the  records  of  the  canal  systems  for  the 
years  covered  by  the  ground  water  records.  The  fluctuations  of  the 
ground  water  were  obtained  from  the  readings  of  the  observation 
wells.  Any  ground  water  movement  into  or  out  of  the  area  is  relatively 
constant  unless  a  wide  fluctuation  in  the  ground  water  elevation  occurs. 
For  several  of  the  areas,  ground  water  records  for  the  years  1922  to 
date  are  available.  This  period  includes  the  very  dry  season  of  1924, 
the  somewhat  above  normal  season  of  1922  and  the  somewhat  below 
normal  years  of  1923  and  1925.  These  seasons  give  a  relatively  wide 
range  of  conditions  of  canal  supply  and  ground  water  use.  The 
analysis  presented  for  tbe  different  areas  represents  directly  only  the 
••onditions  din-ing  the  i)a)-tiL'ubii'  years  of  actual  record.  Should 
chaniies  in  tlie  conditions  occur  in  tlie  future  the  resulting  conclusions 
mav  require  similar  modification. 

The  fluctuation  records  of  tbe  observation  wells  show  certain  com- 
mon characteristics.  The  ground  water  rises  during  the  period  of  canal 
supply  ;  it  falls  during  the  late  summer  months  when  canal  supply  is 
small  and  pumping  heavy.  Tn  the  fall  when  pumping  becomes  rela- 
tively small  in  amount,  the  rate  of  ground  water  lowering  decreases. 
The  water  table  may  either  lower  or  rise  during  the  winter  months 
dependent  on  local  conditions  uf  ground  water  movement  and  use. 

In  examining  the  ground  water  fluctuations  it  was  found  that  Decem- 
ber 1  represented  the  end  of  the  period  of  use  by  pumping  and  the 
beginning  of  th(»  winter  sea? on.  Tn  many  areas  the  ground  water  starts 
to  rise  at  about  this  date.  These  conditions  continue  until  about 
March  1  of  the  following  year  when  the  decrease  in  rainfall  and  the 
increase  in  use  results  usually  in  a  lowering  of  the  ground  water  unless 
water  is  being  delivered  in  the  canals.  For  these  reasons  the  year  has 
been  divided  into  two  parts  in  the  study  of  those  areas  for  which  com- 
plete records  are  availa])le — the  season  of  canal  diversions  and  pump- 
ing for  irrigation  extending  from  March  1  to  December.  1.; and  ihe 
winter  season  from  Decem])er  1  to  March  1.  ':':.         '    :.. 

For  the  winter  season  the  ground  water  fluctuations  were  found  to 
have  no  consistent  relationship  to  the  amount  of  the  canal  diversion 
during  the  preceding  season.  The  amount  of  the  diversions  during  the 
summer  affects  the  fluctuations  during  that  period  but  has  little  effect 
on  the  fluctuations  during  the  following  winter.  It  was  found  that  the 
winter  fluctuations   vary,   usually   consistently,   with  the   amount  of 


42  Department  of  Public  Works. 

rainfall  during  the  winter  months.  This  relationship  is  considered  to 
be  indirect,  as  direct  penetration  of  moisture  from  the  rainfall  to  the 
ground  Avater  probal)ly  does  not  occur  except  perhaps  to  a  limited 
extent  at  times  of  heavy  precipitation  in  areas  where  the  ground 
Avater  is  within  a  few  feet  of  the  ground  surface.  Other  factors  such 
as  winter  pumping  and  local  run-off  vary  Avith  the  rainfall.  In  Avinters 
of  small  precipitation  some  pumping  is  practiced.  In  years  of  large 
rainfall  such  pumping  is  reduced  and  any  locally  tributary  run-off 
is  increased.  The  net  effect  of  all  factors  results  in  the  ground  Avater 
fluctuating  in  proportion  to  the  rainfall  during  these  three  winter 
months. 

For  i)uri)0ses  of  discussion  the  Kings  River  area  has  been  divided  into 
several  separate  areas  representing  differences  in  conditions  of  canal 
diversion,  extent  of  pumping  or  length  of  period  covered  by  the  ground 
Avater  records.  The  available  information  regarding  each  area  is 
presented  Avith  such  tentative  conclusions  as  the  available  data  appears 
to  Avarrant.  It  is  considered  that  the  available  data  furnished  ade- 
quate support  for  the  general  conclusions  presented.  Additional  records 
in  the  coming  years  Avill  probably  result  in  some  modification  of  any 
detail  numerical  conclusions  that  might  be  reached  at  this  time  regard- 
ing the  draft  that  can  be  supported  in  any  area. 

GROUND  WATER    IN   THE   FRESNO   IRRIGATION    DISTRICT. 

This  district  includes  an  area  of  240,664  acres,  of  AA'hich  163,377 
acres  are  reported  as  served  by  canals  and  30,384  acres  as  served 
exclusively  by  pumps.  The  canals  serAdng  this  area  Avere  built  over 
50  years  ago.  The  early  priority  of  its  Avater  rights  enables  this  dis- 
trict to  secure  a  more  dependable  Avater  supply  than  many  other  areas 
on  Kings  River.  These  conditions  make  the  study  of  its  ground  water 
of  particular  interest  as  representing  conditions  of  more  complete 
AA'ater  supply.  The  Fresno  Irrigation  District  is  served  by  two  canals. 
The  Fresno  Canal  served  about  two-thirds  of  the  total  area  in  the  loAver 
or  western  part  of  the  district  and  the  Gould  and  Enterprise  canals 
the  higher  or  eastern  portion.  The  Fresno  District  began  observations 
on  about  100  Avells  in  September,  1921,  mainly  under  the  Fresno  Canal, 
and  the  Fresno  City  Water  Corporation  on  about  25  wells,  mainly  under 
the  Gould  Canal,  in  November,  1923. 

There  are  no  irrigated-  areas  above  tlie  Fresno  District,  so  that  it 
receives  no  ground  Avater  supplies  from  such  sources.  The  locally 
tributary  drainage  area  has  only  a  limited  run-oft',  estimated  as  an 
average  of  about  8000  acre-feet  per  year.  Such  run-off  is  very  irregular 
in  occurrence  and  is  neglipible  in  (piantity  in  years  of  small  rainfall. 
The  amount  estimated  is  only  about  2  per  cent  of  the  average  annual 
diversion  of  the  Fresno  District. 

Prior  to  the  construction  of  canals,  ground  Avater  occurred  at  depths 
of  about  60  feet.  As  a  result  of  irrigation,  the  ground  A\-ater  rose  until 
a  considerable  area,  largely  .south  of  Fresno,  became  damaged  by 
Avater  logging  and  alkali  so  that  farms  formerly  productive  in  Adnes 
and  trees  Avere  useful  only  for  bermuda  or  salt  grass  pasture.  Evi- 
dences of  such  damage  are  still  observable  in  this  area. 

Efforts  toAvard  drainage  were  made,  and  investigations  and  experi- 
ments conducted  by  various  agencies.     These   earlier  attempts  Avere 


Ground   Water  Resources,  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.      43 

mainly  with  opon  ditch  or  tile  drains  for  small  areas.  No  attempt  to 
drain  the  general  area  was  made,  although  plans  for  such  works  were 
discussed. 

In  recent  years  pumping  for  irrigation  has  increased  throughout  the 
district  to  such  an  extent  that  much  drainage  has  heen  provided 
indirectly.  The  result  has  been  to  control  the  ground  water  until  at 
present  drainage  is  not  a  serious  problem  in  this  district.  The  existing 
pum])i ng.  together  with  control  of  the  canal  diversions,  is  sufficient 
to  control  ground  water  conditions.  Any  material  rise  of  the  ground 
water  with  resulting  water  logging  of  land  is  not  to  be  expected  under 
existing  conditions  of  M-ater  supply  and  a  normal  increase  in  irrigated 
area.  Any  local  area  in  Avhich  such  a  rise  may  occur  can  be  controlled 
by  additional  local  pumping.  AVhile  ranch  of  the  practice  regarding 
the  control  of  the  ground  water  by  pumping  will  be  subject  to  develop- 
ment and  adjustment  in  the  future,  it  is  considered  that  existing 
experience  fully  justifies  the  conclusion  that  pumping  can  control  the 
ground  Avater  and  tliat  the  demands  of  pumping  for  irrigation  will 
result  in  such  control.  Pumping  for  drainage  only  is  not  probable 
as  all  water  pumped  can  be  coordinated  with  the  irrigation  demand 
resulting  in  dual  usefulness. 

Pumping  for  irrigation  has  been  very  largely  a  development  of  the 
last  ten  years  as  shown  in  the  previous  discussion  of  the  growth  of 
pumping.  The  draft  in  1923  appears  to  have  been  about  three  times 
as  large  as  that  in  1913 ;  in  1924  the  pumping  was  over  twice  as  large 
as  in  1923,  due  to  the  deficiency  in  canal  supply.  Most  of  the  increase 
from  1914  to  1923  appears  to  have  occurred  prior  to  1920.  There  may 
be  some  question  as  to  whether  the  present  draft  has  been  in  effect  long 
enough  to  result  in  stabilized  ground  water  conditions  particulai'ly  in 
the  outlying  areas. 

The  conditions  for  securing  M'ater  by  pumping  from  wells  are  par- 
ticularly favorable  in  practically  all  parts  of  the  Fresno  District.  Dis- 
charges of  from  1  to  2  second-feet  can  be  secured  from  wells  of  less  than 
150  feet  depth  in  the  larger  part  of  the  area.  Wells  of  greater  depth 
recently  installed  by  the  district  have  produced  4  to  5  second-feet. 
The  drawdowns  under  such  rates  of  discharge  are  relatively  less  than 
those  in  areas  of  closer  textured  material  so  that  the  pumping  lifts  are 
relatively  small. 

Bulletin  217  of  the  Office  of  Experiment  Stations,  U.  S.  Department 
of  Agriculture,  described  ground  water  conditions  southwest  of  Fresno. 
The  field  work  was  done  mainly  from  1904  to  1908.  A  comparison  of 
the  original  records  of  this  field  work  for  Avell  No.  1  with  well  No.  16 
of  the  Fresno  District  shows  a  generally  lower  elevation  of  the  ground 
water  in  recent  years.    The  results  are  shown  in  Fig.  2. 

Twenty-one  wells  were  observed  at  the  Kearney  Vineyard  by  the 
College  of  Agriculture,  Universitv  of  California,  during  1914,  1915 
and  1916,  and  for  1920,  1921  and  1922.  Tlie  average  diversions  and  the 
rainfall  in  the  earlier  years  were  slightly  larger  than  in  the  latter 
three  years.  The  average  depth  to  ground  water  on  October  1  was  5.8 
feet  for  the  first  three  years  and  8.0  feet  for  the  latter  years. 

The  city  of  Fresno  is  excluded  from  the  Fresno  Irrigation  District 
although  some  canals  cros.s  the  city.  The  Fresno  City  Water  Corpora- 
tion secures  its  water  supply  by  pumping  from  wells  within  the  city,  the 


44 


Department  of  Puhlic  Works. 


present  draft  bein^  al)()\it  2().()(){)  acre-feet  per  year.  The  y:i'()inui  water 
is  noAv  lowei-  than  formerly,  as  discussed  hiter  in  detail. 

In  ,sonie  parts  of  the  district  Avhere  the  lands  had  gone  l)ai'k  to 
pastni'aue,  due  to  the  rise  of  the  i,^round  water,  plantings  ai'e  ho'mg 
made.  The  general  impi'ession  gained  from  field  ol)servation  is  that  the 
new  plantings  are  encroaching  on  the  area  formerly  water  logged  and 
alkaline  rather  than  the  reverse.  This  also  indicates  that  ground 
water  conditions  in  such  areas  are  improving. 

It  is  not  i)()ssible  to  specify  any  single  item  as  the  cause  of  tiie 
general  gi'ound  watei'  changes  that  may  be  occurring.    Among  ]irobable 

Ground  surface 


a 
O 


JAN.  FEB.         MAR.         APR.         MAY         JUN.        JUL.  AUG.  SEP.         OCT.         NOV         DEC. 

LEGEND. 


Well  No.  1  of  Baker  Tract.        1907  —  1M8 
vVell  No.  16  of  Fresno  Irngation  District.   1921—1926 
FIG.  2.   Comparison  of  ground   water-   levels   1907-1926   in    Fresno    irrigation    District. 


causes  would  be  more  careful  use  of  water  on  \ho  land,  a  better  main- 
tained canal  system,  more  regular  delivery  methods  and  the  increase  in 
pumping  draft.  AVhile  all  of  these  factors  may  affect  the  result,  the 
increased  pumi)ing  draft  is  regarded  as  the  most  important  single 
factor.  AVhile  there  may  be  some  doubt  regarding  the  relative  effect 
of  these  different  factors  it  is  considered  that  the  available  data  fully 
support  the  conclusion  that  groinid  water  control  has  been  established 
in  this  district.  A  recurrence  of  an  injurious  rise  of  the  ground  water 
is  not  to  be  expected. 


Ground   Water  Kcsonrces,  Sauthern  San  Joaquin   Valley.      45 

GROUND  WATER  FLUCTUATIONS  FROM  DECEMBER  1  TO  MARCH  1. 

The  ground  water  fluctuations  from  December  1  to  March  1  for  the 
entire  area  under  the  Fresno  Canal  are  shown  in  the  following  table: 

Average  prounil 

water  fluctuation 

from  December  1  ■  Diversion  in  acre-feet 

to  March  1  in  feel  Rainfall  from  per  acre  of  combined 
°   +— rrise;                   December  1  to  March  t       canal  and  pump  service 

Season                 — :=r.loweriii(/.  in  inches  area 

1921-1922     +1.2  8.12  2.02 

I!l22-1923     +    .2  4.04  1.93 

1923-1924     —  .(;  1.09  2.12 

1924-1925     +   .4  3.99  .96 

192.S-192B     -t.04  '  :!.26  2.4 

Canal  diversions  during  the  winter  months  are  usually  small.  In 
1924-25  about  35,000  acre-feet  were  diverted  by  the  Fresno  Canal  in 
these  months;  in  the  other  years  shown  in  the  table  the  diversions 
were  less  than  10,000  aere-feet,  T\\q  mean  precipitation  at  Fresno  for 
these  three  months  is  4.45  inches. 

In  Fig.  3,  the  ground  water  fluctuations  during  these  winter  months 
have  l)oen  plotted  against  the  rainfall  for  the  same  months  for  the  sea- 
sons covered  by  tlie  records.  The  results  are  shown  for  the  Fresno  and 
Gould  Canal  areas  as  a  whole  and  also  for  selected  smaller  areas  under 
the  Fresno  Canal.  In  general  a  consistent  relationship  is  shown.  The 
preceding  talile  shows  that  the  ground  water  fluctuations  during  the 
winter  are  not  directly  related  to  the  amount  of  diversion  during  the 
preceding  summer. 

For  all  lands  under  the  Fresno  Canal  the  results  for  the  different 
years  fall  quite  consistently  on  a  straight  line  relationship.  The  results 
for  1924-25  are  probably  affected  by  the  larger  canal  diversions  during 
that  winter.  For  the  area  under  the  Gould  Canal,  the  ground  water 
records  do  not  include  the  seasons  prior  to  1923.  A  consistent  relation- 
sliip  is  indicated  by  the  records  of  the  three  seasons  shown  on  Fig.  3. 

For  the  entire  areas  under  the  Fresno  and  the  Gould  canals,  an  aver- 
age rise  of  0.3  and  0.1  feet,  respectively,  is  indicated  by  Fig.  3  in 
winters  of  normal  precipitation.  In  such  years  the  additions  to  the 
ground  water  from  the  run-off'  of  adjacent  areas  and  winter  canal 
diversions  appear  to  exceed  slightly  the  pumping  during  this  period 
and  such  outward  ground  water  movement  into  lower  areas  as  may 
occur.  In  seasons  of  large  pi-ecipitation  some  penetration  of  rainfall 
within  the  area  to  tlie  ground  water  may  occur  althougli  the  amount 
of  siK'li  penetration  witli  ))r('S(Mi1  deptlis  to  ground  water  is  proliably 
small. 

For  the  smaller  areas  uiuh'r  the  Fresno  Canal  differences  in  the 
winter  fluctuations  arc  shown  in  Fig.  3.  The  Dry  Creek  Canal  serves 
lands  west  of  Fresno  in  the  lowei'  portion  of  tlu'  district.  The  Fancher 
(!reek  ('anal  serves  lands  south  of  Fresno.  Both  areas  are  distant 
from  any  large  stream  channels  having  continuous  flow.  The  elements 
of  .sup]il}'  appear  to  exceed  tlie  elements  of  use  for  the  Dry  Creek  Canal 
area  and  a  small  rise  in  winters  of  normal  rainfall  is  indicated.  For 
the  Fanchei'  Creek  Canal,  tlie  elements  of  supply  are  sulificiently  large 
to  result  in  a  rise  in  all  winters  except  those  of  very  small  rainfall. 

The  Ilerndon  Canal  serves  lands  along  the  San  Joacpiin  Kiver  in  the 
western  pai-t  of  the  disti'ict.     Tlic  gi'ound  water  slopes  awa,y  from  this 


4G 


Department  of  Pnhlic  Works. 


DRY  CREEK  CANAL. 


■J 


c 


O 


4-3.0 

+2.0 

+1.0 

0.0 

^3.0 

+2.0 

+1.0 

0.0 

-1.0 

0.0 
-1.0 
-2.0 

0.0 
-1.0 
-2.0 




i»^"" 

-^ 

1924-25_. 

1922-23 

--^ 

1923-24 

•  **"     ' 

1925-26 

• 

4  6 

FANCHER  CREEK  CANAL. 


4  6 

HERNDON  CANAL. 


2  4  6  8 

AREA  UNDER  FRESNO  CANAL.     Exclusive  of  Mil!  and  Fancher  canals. 


4  6  8 

TOTAL  FRESNO  CANAL  AREA. 


4  6 

TOTAL  GOULD  CANAL  AREA. 


+1.0 


Rainfall 


inches. 


10 


^^^ 

^^^ 

1921-22 

-1923-24 

1925-26 

924-25. 

•1922-2: 

10 


_f^ 

iq?4.-;b.l               1 

*1921-22 

1925-5 

^1922-2; 
6 

1923-24 

10 


1925-2 

1924-25 

•1Q91.99 

6j^ J 

71922-23 

1923-24 



10 


10 


FIG.  3.  Relation  of  change  in  level  of  ground  water  during  December, 
January,  and  February,  to  rainfall  during  the  same  months,  in  Fresno 
Irrigation    District. 


Ground   Water  Resources,  Southern  San  Joaquin   Valley.      47 

area  on  all  sides  as  shown  by  ^Nlap  No.  1.  The  ground  water  lowers  in  all 
winters  the  outward -movement  even  in  years  of  larj^e  rainfall  appears 
to  exceed  tlie  elements  of  supply. 

The  area  under  the  Fresno  Canal  exclusive  of  the  Mill  and  Fancher 
Creek  canals  consists  of  an  area  in  the  southeastern  part  of  tlie  dis- 
trict below  the  area  under  the  Gould  Canal  and  adjacent  to  but  above 
the  Consolidated  Irrigation  District.  The  ground  water  has  lowered 
in  all  winters  covered  by  the  records.  Outward  movement  appears  to 
exceed  movement  into  the  area  from  higher  lands. 

GROUND  WATER   FLUCTUATIONS  MARCH   1   TO   DECEMBER  1. 

For  the  main  canal  delivery  and  crop  growth  season,  the  ground 
water  fluctuations  vary  with  the  extent  of  the  canal  supply.  The 
records  of  the  Fresno  District  include  the  water  delivered  to  main 
laterals  and  the  area  served,  both  by  canals  and  by  pumping  under 
each  lateral.  The  ground  water  fluctuations  have  been  averaged  for  the 
same  areas. 

Water  delivered  into  any  area  is  used  mainly  to  supply  the  moisture 
consumed  by  the  crops  and  evaporation  from  the  soil  within  the  area. 
Some  outward  ground  water  niovement  may  occur,  also  inflow  from 
higher  areas  may  be  received.  Any  difference  in  the  balance  of  items 
of  supply  and  items  of  use  will  be  reflected  in  the  ground  water 
fluctuations. 

The  areas  reported  as  irrigated  are  the  total  areas  of  the  farms  receiv- 
ing service ;  not  all  of  the  area  of  each  farm  may  be  actually  cropped. 
However,  the  development  in  this  district  is  relatively  intensive  and 
the  proportion  of  unused  land  on  the  developed  farms  is  relatively 
small.  There  are,  however,  farms  on  which  no  service  is  received,  the 
lands  being  undeveloped.  These  lands  are  excluded  from  the  crop 
area.  Ground  water  fluctuations  affect  the  gross  area ;  crop  use  applies 
only  to  the  area  actually  growing  crops.  If  only  a  portion  of  any 
area  was  irrigated,  the  resulting  ground  water  fluctuations  from  any 
rate  of  delivery  per  acre  of  crop  would  be  changed.  For  the  six  canal 
areas  for  which  comparisons  are  presented  the  areas  are  as  follows : 


Canal  Gross  area 

Herndon     r)5,944 

Drv     Creek 49,988 

Mill    Creek 110,403 

Faiioher    Creek 50.120 

Kntire    Fresno   Canal 168,G22 

Gould  Canal* 73,341 

*  Includes  the   Enterprise  Canal. 

The  four  years  covei'cd  by  the  ground  water  records  include  192-1:, 
in  which  the  canal  sui)pl_\-  was  only  aliout  one-half  normal.  The  remain- 
ing three  years  varied  somewhat  in  the  amount  of  the  diversion.  Due 
to  the  early  priority  of  the  rights  of  this  district  the  diversions  vary 
less  widely  than  the  run-off  of  Kings  River. 

The  ground  water  fluctuations  and  the  average  diversion  per  acre 
of  cropped  area  are  shown  for  the  areas  under  the  Fresno  and  the' 
Gouhl    canals   in    the    folhnving   table.      The   fluctuations    arc    for   Ihe 


Area  in 

Acres 

Area 

Area 

Unde- 

receiving 

receiving 

veloped 

Per  cent 

canal  service 

pump  service 

area 

developed 

41,839 

5,713 

8,392 

85 

25,809 

4,186 

19,993 

60 

71,009 

10,638 

28,756 

74 

37,036 

8,794 

4,290 

85 

113,990 

21,482 

33,150 

80 

49,387 

8,902 

15,052 

80 

48 


Department  of  Fublic  Works. 


HERNDOfJ  CANAL. 


FANCHEH  CREEK  CANAL. 


E 

V 

o 
o 
O 


ID 

2 


u 

c 

1_ 

u 

*-» 

ro 
$ 

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C 
3 
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u 
a 

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H2.0 
+  1.0 
0.0 
-1.0 
-2.0 
-3.0 
-4.0 
-5.0 

+  1.0 
0.0 
-1.0 
-2.0 
-3.0 
-4.0 
-5.0 

-+1.0 
0.0 
-1.0 
-2.0 
-3.0 
-4.0 
-5.0 


/•I  923 
1922  •/ 

/  192 
/ 

5 

• 

/ 

1924 

3         4 


DRY  CREEK-  CANAL. 


1 

192 

•1925 
2/ 

> 

/i92: 

/ 

/ 

1924.' 

f 

12         3         4 


/IILL  CANAL. 


1922 

/■" 

J25 

y 

\ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

i 

• 

1924 

+2.0 
+  1.0 
0.0 
-1.0 
-2.0 
-3.0 
-4.0 


n^z^ 

\ 

f 

19227 

/ 

/ 

• 

/ 

1924 

ENTIRE  AREA  UNDER  FRESNO  CANAL. 
+2.0 

+  1.0 

0.0 

-1.0 

-2.0 

-3.0 
-^.0 


/l925 

1922, 

/■ 

/ 

1923 

/ 

/ 

1924, 

' 

GOULD  CANAL. 


+2.0 
+  1.0 
0.0 
-1.0 
-2.0 
-3.0 
-4.0 


1925 

/ 

/ 

/ 

J 

1 

/I 

/l924 

/I 

FIG.    4. 
level     of 
District. 


Canal  diversion  in  acre-feet  per  acre. 

Relation    of    volume    of   water   diverted    by    canals   to    change    in 
ground     water     in     areas     under     canals     in     Fresno     Irrigation 


Season 

1922     

1923     

1924 

Diversion 
in  acre-feet 

per  acre  of 
total  crop  area 

1.93 

2.12 

.9G 

i;'2r>    

2.3 

Diversion  in 
acre-feet  per 
acre  of  total 
crop  area 

Averaoe 
fiiictitation 
of  the  (jround 
water  in  feet 

1.91 
1.57 
.SI 
l.'J 

-t-1.1 

Ground   V^'ater  liesoiirces,  Sauthern  San  Joaquin  Valley.       49 

period  March  1  to  December  1  which  includes  nearly  all  of  the  canal 
diversions  and  the  pumping  for  irrigation. 

Fresno  Canal  Area  Gould  Canal  Area 

Average 
fluctuation  of 
the  (/round  water 
in  feet 

+  0.15 

— 0.15 

—3.95 

+  1.0 

Total   for  four  year  period — 2.95 

Tile  ground  water  lowering  for  this  four-year  period  has  been  less 
than  that  in  almost  any  other  area  in  the  southern  San  Joa<iuiii  Valley 
for  the  same  period. 

Tn  Fig.  4  the  fluctuations  of  the  ground  water  from  March  1  to 
December  1  are  plotted  against  the  delivery  of  water  in  terms  of 
acre-feet  per  acre  of  the  area  of  combined  canal  and  pump  service  for 
six  area.s.  Herndon  and  Dry  Creek  canals  are  part  of  the  Mill  Creek 
Canal ;  Mill  Creek  and  Fancher  canals  comprise  the  larger  part  of  the 
area  under  the  Fresno  Canal.  The  Gould  Canal  serves  a  separate  area 
in  the  upper  portion  of  the  district.  The  ground  water  records  under 
the  Gould  Canal  cover  only  the  last  two  years. 

For  all  six  areas  a  fair  consistency  is  shown,  the  resulting  fluctuation 
being  proportional  to  the  amount  of  water  received  per  acre  of  total 
crop  area.  As  all  of  the  area  of  the  Fresno  District  is  above  or  distant 
from  any  large  streams  the  ground  water  fluctuations  during  the  sum- 
mer months  is  dependent  on  the  canal  supply.  This  is  also  indicated  by 
the  fact  that  ground  Avater  prior  to  irrigation  was  at  depths  of  60  feet 
as  compared  to  depths  of  less  than  6  feet  in  much  of  the  district  in 
recent  years. 

A  part  of  the  canal  service  area  has  supplemental  pump  supplies 
available.  The  shortage  in  canal  supply  in  1924  of  about  one  acre-foot 
per  acre  resulted  in  a  lowering  of  the  ground  water  of  about  4  feet,  the 
supplemental  pumping  draft  on  the  ground  water  storage  replacing 
a  part  of  the  deficiency  in  canal  supply.  In  1925  with  a  canal  supply 
in  excess  of  the  average  diversions  of  recent  years,  ground  water  stor- 
age resulted  in  refilling  about  one  foot  in  depth  of  the  1924  depletion. 
The  lower  ground  water  in  1925  may  have  resulted  in  some  reduction 
in  loss  of  moisture  by  soil  evaporation  in  areas  formerly  having  gi-ound 
water  within  4  feet  of  the  ground  surface, 
^r  Fig.  4  also  furnishes  a  basis  for  estimating  the  rate  of  deliver}- 
required  to  maintain  the  ground  water  in  addition  to  supplying  crop 
needs.  To  permnnently  maintain  the  ground  water  the  average  deliv- 
ery should  equal  the  Avater  used  both  by  crops  and  in  any  outward 
ground  water  movement.  If  this  average  delivery  is  maintained  no 
progressive  lowering  or  rise  should  occur  although  fluctuations  would 
occur  from  year  to  year  a.s  the  supply  of  each  year  was  above  or  below 
that  required  to  meet  moisture  consumption. 

The  supply  required  to  meet  moisture  requirements  without  progres- 
sive ground  water  changes  for  the  period  IMarch  1  to  December  1  as 
indicated  by  the  data  at  hand  would  be  represented  by  the  intersection 

4—47076 


50  Department  of  Public  Worhs. 

of  {lie  lines  shown  in  Fig.  4  wilii  the  coordinate  of  zero  ground  water 
flnetucition.    Tlie  intersections  yar.y  for  tlie  different  areas. 

For  the  Herndon  Canal  area  a  delivery  of  about  2  acre-feet  per 
acre  of  crop  area  appears  to  lie  required  to  support  crop  use  and  main- 
tain the  ground  water.  This  area  consists  largely  of  trees  and  vines. 
The  ground  water  slopes  outward  in  three  directions  and  some  move- 
ment into  other  areas  may  occur.  The  similar  figure  for  the  Dry  Creek 
Canal  area  would  he  2.6  acre-feet  per  acre.  This  canal  serves  a  larger 
area  of  forage  crops ;  it  also  has  had  ground  watei'  within  G  feet  of 
the  surface  in  past  years.  Only  60  per  cent  of  the  gross  area  is  now 
irrigated.  As  part  of  the  indicated  use  may  be  ground  water  outflow 
a  less  rate  of  use  per  acre  would  l)e  recpiired  to  supply  both  crop  use 
and  outflow  Avhen  a  larger  proportion  of  the  area  is  irrigated.  It  is 
the  only  area  shown  on  Fig.  4  in  which  lowering  has  occurred  in  each 
of  the  last  four  years.  The  w^ells  observed  under  the  Dry  Creek  Canal 
are  located  mainly  in  the  upper  portion  of  the  area  served  and  do  not 
cover  the  western  portion. 

For  the  areas  under  the  Mill  Creek  and  Fancher  canals  Fig.  4 
indicates  a  re(iiiirement  of  about  2  aere-feet  per  acre  to  supply  crop 
use  and  maintain  the  ground  water.  A  similar  amount  is  indicated  for 
the  average  of  all  of  the  area  under  the  Fresno  Canal. 

For  the  Gould  Canal  a  reciuirement  of  about  1.65  aere-feet  is  indi- 
ated  by  the  two  years'  record  availalile.  This  area  is  almost  wholly 
in  vims  and  trees.  The  gronnd  water  is  all  below  the  depth  of  influence 
of  surface  evaporation.  Consumptive  use  would  be  expected  to  be  a 
minimum  in  this  area.  The  results  do  not  leave  any  large  amount  of 
supply  unaccounted  for  and  ontward  movement  appears  small.  The 
soils  in  this  area  are  heavier  and  the  movement  of  moisture  slower. 

The  results  for  these  different  areas  are  consistent  when  local  factors 
are  considered.  Apparently  consumptive  use  as  small  as  1.65  acre-feet 
per  acre  can  be  realized  for  areas  of  trees  and  vines.  For  areas  of 
largely  trees  and  vines  hut  subject  to  the  larger  use  of  other  types  of 
crop  on  some  of  the  area,  or  where  ontward  ground  water  movement 
occurs  a  use  of  2  acre-feet  per  acre  may  be  required.  For  areas  of 
mixed  crops  including  forage,  with  some  high  ground  water  a  consump- 
tive use  in  excess  of  2  acre-feet  ])er  acre  may  be  required. 

Fig.  A  represents  only  the  ground  water  fluctuations  from  ]\larch  1 
to  December  1.  The  sui)i)ly  delivered  into  each  area  shoukl  not  only 
balance  the  ground  water  for  this  ixM'iod  but  should  also  balance  the 
average  fluctuation  for  the  winter  period.  If  the  gi'ound  water  lowers 
one  foot  in  the  winter  months,  the  supply  during  the  remainder  of  the 
.>  ear  should  result  in  a  rise  of  one  foot  if  the  balance  for  the  full  year 
is  to  be  obtained.  The  combinations  of  ground  water  fluctuations  for 
both  the  winter  and  sununer  periods  indicate  the  following : 

Estimated  acre- feet 
per  acre  required  to 
Winter  fluctuation  inointt'iu  around  water 

Canal  area  in  normal  years,  feet  for  entire  year 

Herndon      : — 0  4  2.25 

Dry    Creek    -f-l.S  2.15 

Mill     CveeM.     -t-0.3  2.2 

Fancher     -|-0.4  1.85 

Whole    Fresno    -fO.3  2.0 

Could +0.1  1.G5* 

*  Based  on  2  years  record  only. 


Ground   Water  Resourccfi,  Southern   Son   Joaquin   Valley.       51 

For  tlu'  wliok'  vcjir  tli«n-«'  is  less  cHrt'oreiK'f  between  tlie  different 
areas  than  for  the  period  Mareli  1  to  Deeeinher  1  only.  The  winter 
rise  nnder  tlie  Dry  Creek  Canal  reduces  the  delivery  required  during 
the  reinaindei-  oi"  the  season.  For  the  Ilerndon  Canal  the  lowerinis:  of 
0.4  feet  in  the  three  winter  months  would  be  at  the  rate  of  1.6  feet 
per  year.  If  this  lowering  is  assumed  to  be  due  to  outward  ground 
water  movement,  a  consuniptive  use  of  only  1.6  acre-feet  per  acre 
would  be  indicated  by  Fig.  i  for  this  area.  As  this  area  is  largeh'  in 
trees  and  vines  this  result  is  consistent  with  the  results  for  the  Gould 
Canal. 

The  estimated  rates  of  consumptive  use  shown  in  the  preceding  table 
are  based  on  the  indications  of  the  records  of  the  last  four  years. 
During  this  period  a  material  change  has  occurred  in  the  extent  of 
pumping  and  in  the  depth  to  ground  water  over  much  of  the  area  of 
the  Fresno  Irrigation  District.  The  conditions  of  use  of  moisture  may 
not  have  become  sufficiently  .stabilized  nnder  these  changed  conditions 
for  the  results  based  on  the  records  for  these  years  to  represent  the 
numerical  values  for  consumptive  use  that  may  be  found  in  coming 
years  when  conditions  may  have  become  less  variable.  The 
estimates  shown  are  presented  as  an  illustration  of  the  method  of 
analysis  eonsidered  applicable  in  the  study  of  ground  water  utilization 
and  as  an  illustration  of  the  apparent  consistency  of  the  results  secured 
even  in  such  years  of  varying  conditions  as  those  covered  by  the  records 
in  this  area. 

The  consumptive  use  for  any  area  represents  the  amount  of  water 
per  acre  of  irrigated  crops  that  needs  to  be  brought  into  the  area  to 
supply  the  moisture  actually  consumed  by  such  crops.  The  canal 
supply  may  be  less  than  the  consumptive  use  in  some  years  provided 
excess  sui)ply  is  available  in  other  years  to  equalize  such  deficiencies 
and  that  ground  water  storage  may  nuike  the  surplus  supply  of  excess 
years  available  in  years  of  deficient  supply.  Any  shortage  in  the 
average  supply  l)elow  tlie  amounts  required  for  consumptive  use  will 
residt  in  a  reduced  crop  production.  These  requirements  for  consump- 
tive use  differ  from  those  for  ordinary  diversion  in  which  only  the 
requirenu'nts  of  surface  application  are  considered  without  recovery  of 
lasses  to  the  ground  water  by  jnimping.  In  such  supplies  for  surface 
ai)idication  alone,  the  requirement  is  more  usually  expressed  in  terms 
of  tlie  maximum  diversion  in  any  year.  Some  shortages  in  such  maxi- 
mum requirements  can  occur  in  occasional  years  without  serious  injury. 
Any  shortage  in  the  average  supply  for  the  requirements  for 
consumptive  use  will  result  in  crop  injury  or  in  gradual  lowering  of 
the  ground  water  if  ground  water  storage  is  drawn  upon  to  replace 
.such  shortages. 


*o^ 


k 


Drainage  Factor. 

The  amount  of  water  nmde  available  by  a  lowering  of  the  ground 
water  depends  on  the  proportion  of  the  soil  volume  that  is  filled  with 
wafer  which  is  yielded  by  sudi  lowering.  This  proportion  may  be 
termed  the  drainage  factoi-.  If  is  less  than  the  total  pore  space  of  the 
soil  material  as  the  entire  wafer  contained  will  not  be  secured  by  a 
ground    water    lowering.      The    lowering    of    the    ground    water    that 


tJimi 


DapatimenI  of  Public  M^irls. 


WELL  E8.    Above  Gould  CanaL 


WELL  68.    South  of  Fresno. 

»1 Tl^ 


„tm^- 


WELL  38.    Under  Gould  CanaL 


WELL  31.    West  of  Fresno. 


■J 
o 
u 


WELL  44.     Under  Gould  Canal 
near  San  Joaquin  River. 


WELL  87.    Southwest  part  of  district. 


WELL  69.     Northeast  of  Fresno. 


Q 


WELL  28.     Near  Kerman. 


WELL  85.     Southeast  of  Fresno. 


WELL  41.     Northwest  part  of  dislrid. 


zaioco:>-2-'Oa-i-     >o 

->u.5<£-)-><'')02Q 


LEGEND. 


1920  — 

1921  -^ 
1922 


FIG.   5.   Hydrographs  of  typical    wells   in    Fresno    Irrigation    District. 


Ground   Water  Bcsources,  Soidlirrn   Sun   Joaquin  Valley.       53 

resulted  from  tlie  shoi-tajLic  in  canal  supply  furnished  a  basis  for 
estimating  the  drainage  factor  for  this  area.  S"uch  estimate  is  based 
on  the  assumption  that  the  defieieney  in  canal  supply  in  1024  was 
leplaced  by  the  water  represented  by  the  ground  water  loweriiig.  This 
assumption  gives  values  of  the  drainage  factor  larger  than  the  actual 
value  as  some  shortage  in  the  moisture  secured  by  the  crops  occurred 
in  1924. 

Foi-  the  two-year  pei-iod  covering  1922  and  1923  the  ground  water 
in  the  area  under  the  Fresno  Canal  remained  at  the  same  average 
elevation.  In  1924  the  ground  water  lowei'ed  an  average  of  3.95  feet. 
The  canal  diversions  in  1922  and  1923  averaged  274,000  acre-feet. 
Tn  1924  only  130.000  acre-feet  were  secured.  For  the  gross  area  under 
the  Fresno  Canal  of  168.600  acve-feet,  if  the  difference  in  canal  supply 
of  144,000  acre-feet  is  considered  to  be  replaced  by  the  drainage  of 
066.(^00  acre-feet  of  soil  volume,  a  drainage  factor  of  22  per  cent  is 
indicated.  A  similar  comparison  for  1924  and  1925  gave  the  same 
^•alue  foi-  the  drainage  factor.  Under  the  Gould  Canal  the  records  for 
1924  and  1925  gave  an  indicated  value  of  20  per  cent  for  the  drainage 
factor. 

These  indicated  values  of  the  drainage  factor  are  relatively  large. 
They  exceed  the  probable  actual  values  as  some  shortage  in  crop  use 
of  moisture  occurred  in  192-1.  Plowever  the  materials  in  this  area  are 
relatively  open  as  indicated  by  the  usually  large  discharges  with  small 
drawdown  that  are  secured  from  wells.  The  indicated  value  for  the 
area  under  the  Oould  Canal  is  larger  relatively  than  that  for  the 
Fresno  Canal,  as  the  materials  under  the  Gould  Canal  are  of  less  open 
character. 

Hydrographs  of  Typical   Wells. 

Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  are  shown  in  Fig.  5.  AVell  58  is  just 
above  the  Gould  Canal.  Tjowering  occurs  during  the  summer  months 
with  a  rise  in  the  winter.  Well  38  is  about  2  miles  southwest  of  Clovis 
in  the  irrigated  area  ;  it  rises  during  the  irrigation  season  and  lowers 
in  the  winter.  Ovei'  one-half  the  lowering  in  1924  was  recovered  in 
1925.  Well  44  is  near  the  San  Joaquin  River  north  of  Fresno  in  an 
area  of  limited  local  irrigation.  Less  fluctuations  with  the  canal 
<lelivei-y  occurs. 

Well  69  is  just  outside  of  Fresno.  Direct  response  to  canal  flow 
is  shoAvn.  ■  Well  85  is  about  4  miles  southeast  of  Fresno.  It  has 
recovered  th(^  lowering  i)i  l!t24.  Well  68  is  5  miles  south  of  Fresno 
and  is  typical  of  tlie  fluctuations  in  this  area  of  relatively  high  ground 
water.  Well  31  is  7  miles  west  of  Fresno.  Only  a  small  response 
to.(*anal  use  is  shown. 

Well  87  is  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  district,  3  miles  southeast  of 
Kerman.  Well  28  is  2  miles  north  of  Kerman  and,  like  Well  31  to 
the  east,  shows  less  wide  fluctuations  during  the  year.  Well  41  is  in 
the  northwest  corner  of  the  district.  Irrigation  has  increased  in  this 
area  in  recent  years  and  the  ground  water  rose  from  1921  to  1923; 
some  lowerhig  occurred  in  1924. 


54  Department  of  Public  Woi'ks. 

Ground  Water  in  the  City  of  Fresno. 

Tlie  Fresno  City  Water  Corporation,  wliich  supplies  Fresno,  secures 
its  water  supply  by  pumping  within  tlie  city  from  thirty  pumping 
plants.  These  wells  are  located  over  the  area  served.  Records  of  the 
draft  and  the  fluetuations  of  these  wells  have  been  made  available  by 
the  water  company.  Observations  of  the  welLs  were  begun  in  1923. 
Several  industries  have  their  own  wells.  However  the  draft  of  the 
water  company  represents  proba])iy  80  to  90  per  cent  of  the  total  draft 
within  the  city. 

The  ground  water  witliiii  the  city  of  Fresno  rose  from  depths  of 
about  sixty  feet  prior  to  irrigation  to  within  a  few  feet  of  the  ground 
surface.  Difficulty  was  formerly  experienced  in  cellar  and  foundation 
vx-ork  within  the  city.  The  ground  water  has  lowered  in  recent  years 
so  that  these  difficulties  do  not  now  occur. 

The  principal  data  regarding  the  draft  and  iluctuation.s  together 
with  comparative  data  for  areas  outside  the  city  are  shown  in  the  fol- 
lowing table : 

Yea r  Yea r  Year 

1923  192J,  1925 

Draft  by  Fresno  City  Water  Coriioration  in  acre-feet_—  19,650  21,900  21,800 
Average  change  in  feet  in  ground  water  elevation  in  wells 

within  Fresno  City,   December   1   to  December   1 — 2.2             +0.9 

Average  change  in  feet  in  ground  water  elevation  in  wells 

southwest  of  Fresno  under   the   Dry  Creek  Canal +.1  — 4.2             -+-   .8 

Average  change  in  feet  in  ground  water  elevation  in  wells 

northeast  of  Fresno  under  the   Enterprise  Canal-' —  — 4.3             +   .8 

Total  diversion  by  Fresno  Irrigation  District  in  acre-feet_   404,000  187,000        455,000 

The  data  in  the  above  table  indicates  that  the  ground  water  within 
the  city  is  affected  by  tlie  supply  on  adjacent  lands.  With  practically 
the  same  draft  by  the  water  company  in  192-1:  and  1925,  the  ground 
water  lowered  in  1924  and  rose  in  1925.  In  1925  the  fluctuations  of 
the  ground  water  in  the  city  were  similar  to  those  in  adjacent  irrigated 
areas.  In  1924  less  lowering  occurred  in  the  city  than  in  the  adjacent 
irrigated  areas. 

The  Dry  Creek  Canal  of  the  Fresno  Irrigation  District  crosses  the 
city  of  Fresno.  Some  of  the  wells  of  the  Water  Company  are  located 
near  the  canal.  Their  fluctuations  are  not  materially  different  from 
the  average  for  all  wells.  The  three  wells  nearest  the  Dry  Creek  Canal 
lowered  more  during  the  two  years  from  December  1,  1923,  to  Decem- 
ber 1,  1925,  than  the  average  of  all  wells. 

Some  differences  in  fluctuation  occur  in  different  parts  of  the  year 
between  the  wells  inside  the  city  and  those  outside,  as  shown  by  the 
following  table : 

.1  vcrofjc  fluctuations  in  feet 

^VeUs  ill  Wells  in  Pumping  by 

irrigated  irrigated  Fresno  City 

area  north-  Wells  iii  area  south-  Water  Corp. 

east  of  Fresno  Fresno  west  of  Fresno  in  acre-feet 

Dec.   1,   1923,   to   Mar.    1,   1924          —  .4  0  +   .3                    2,920 

Mar.    1,    1924,   to    Oct.    1,    1924          — 3.2  — 3.7  — 4.0                   16,650 

Oct.    1,    1924,    to    Dec.    1,    1924          —  .7  +1.5  —  .5                     2,330 

Dec.    1,    1924,   to   Mar.    1,    1925           +   .1  +   .7  +1.1                      2,470 

Mar.    1,    1925,   to   Oct.    1,    1925          +1.4  —  .6  +  .4                   16.920 

Oct.    1,    1925,    to   Dec.    1,    1925         —  .7  +   .8  —  .7                    2,440 

From  October  1  to  December  1  ground  water  in  the  Fresno  Irrigation 
District  lowers  due  to  reduction  in  canal  diversions.     In  the  eitv  of 


I 


I 


Ground   Water  Resmtrces,  Southern   San  Joaquin  Valley.       55 

Fresno  the  irrouiid  water  rises,  the  rate  of  pumping  within  the  city 
being  less  than  the  rate  at  which  tlie  lowering  of  the  summer  is  replaced. 
In  the  main  summer  months  under  adequate  eanal  supplies  as  in  1925, 
the  ground  water  in  the  city  lowered  while  that  in  the  district  rose.  This 
difference  did  not  occur  in  1024  under  the  conditions  of  deficient  canal 
supply.  A  general  draining  from  the  higher  to  the  lower  areas  is  shown 
for  the  winter  months,  wells  southwest  of  the  city  rising  more  than 
those  in  the  city  or  to  the  northeast. 

The  data  in  the  preceding  tal)le  includes  the  pumping  draft  for  the 
(lifferent  periods.  If  the  fluctuations  are  assumed  to  affect  an  area 
of  6000  acres  with  a  drainage  factor  of  22  per  cent,  the  ground  water 
sni)ply  received  can  he  estimated  by  balancing  the  draft  and  the  water 
lepresented  by  the  fluctuations.  For  the  two  winter  periods  this  gives 
an  indicated  ground  M'ater  inflow  of  about  1000  acre-feet  per  month. 
For  the  periods  March  1  to  December  1  the  indicated  ground  water  in- 
flow is  at  the  rate  of  about  2000  acre-feet  per  month  in  1924  and  2400 
acre-feet  per  month  in  1925.  For  the  period  December  1,  1923,  to 
December  1.  1924,  a  draft  of  21,900  acre-feet  resulted  in  a  lowering  of 
2.2  feet  indicating  a  ground  water  inflow^  of  about  19,000  acre-feet.  For 
the  period  December  1,  1924.  to  December  1,  1925,  a  draft  of  21,800 
acre-feet  resulted  in  a  rise  of  0.9  feet  indicating  a  ground  water  inflow 
of  about  23,000  acre-feet.  These  results  indicate  the  present  ground 
water  and  canal  conditions  will  result  in  a  movement  into  the  area 
drawn  upon  by  pumping  for  the  city  of  Fresno  of  as  much  as  20.000 
acre-feet  per  year. 

The  pumping  within  t!ie  city  of  Fresno  has  resulted  in  a  cone  of 
depression  in  the  ground  water.  The  slope  of  the  ground  water  from 
the  northeast  has  been  steepened  and  that  to  the  southwest  flattened. 
The  maximum  lowering  from  the  normal  slope  appears  to  have  been 
about  14  feet  at  the  end  of  1924. 

Not  all  of  the  draft  within  the  city  of  Fresno  is  a  draft  on  the  ground 
water  of  the  area  as  a  whole,  as  the  sewer  discharge  is  delivered  to  an 
area  southwest  of  the  city  and  added  to  the  ground  water  there.  This 
is  pumped  and  used  by  the  Fresno  District.  The  amount  of  the  sewer 
discharge  has  been  measured  during  1926,  by  the  city  of  Fresno.  The 
draft  by  the  "Water  Company  and  the  discharge  of  the  sewers  are  given 
by  months  in  the  following  table : 

Draft  hii  Fresno 

Citis  "A'nter  neliveru  to 

Cori)Oration,  spwrr  fnr^n. 

acre-feet  ncre-feet 

Januaiv     870  830 

February    800  930 

March    I 1,6.30  1.040 

April    1,610  1,040 

May     2.760  1,200 

June     3.3r.O  1,035 

July     __     3, .=520  1,075 

The  excess  of  the  sewer  farm  discharge  over  the  city  draft  in  the 
winter  months  is  due  to  the  sewers  acting  also  as  storm  drains. 

The  records  available  appear  to  indicate  that  with  existing  ground 
water  and  canal  conditions  a  pumping  draft  of  20,000  acre-feet  per 
year  can  be  maintained  by  the  wells  of  the  Fresno  City  Water  Cor- 
poration without  nuiterial  increase  in  the  present  cone  of  depression. 
This  represents  a  draft  of  over  three  acre-feet  per  acre  of  the  gross  area 


56  Department  of  Puhlic  Wo7'ks. 

ovor  wliicli  Ili(>  ]utnips  arc  distributed,  and  is  a  much  heavier  I'ate  of 
]tuiiipin;j:  di'aft  than  lias  heeii  found  to  be  supported  elsewhere  in  the 
valley.  It  is  considered  that  the  conditions  are  particnlai'ly  favorable 
in  Fresno  for  such  pumpincr.  The  drainage  factor  is  large,  indicating 
open  material.  Relatively  large  discharges  are  secured  from  relatively 
shallow  wells  without  excessive  drawdown  also  indicating  free  move- 
ment of  ground  water.  Fresno  is  surrounded  by  irrigated  areas 
receiving  canal  service  and  is  crossed  by  canals  supplying  some  direct 
see]iage.  Noiie  of  the  wells  within  the  city  are  more  than  two  miles 
from  irrigated  areas.  These  favorable  conditions  do  not  occur  in  some 
of  th(^  other  areas  having  heavy  pumping  drafts  and  the  results  in 
Fresno  are  not  considered  to  furnish  a  criterion  by  which  the  results 
1o  be  expected  in  such  other  areas  can  be  predicted. 

GROUND  WATER   IN  THE  CONSOLIDATED   IRRIGATION   DISTRICT. 

The  same  cliaracter  of  records  are  available  and  the  same  method  of 
discussion  has  been  follow^ed  for  the  Consolidated  Irrigation  District 
as  for  the  Fresno  Irrigation  District.  The  Consolidated  District 
receives  water  by  diversion  fi-oin  Kings  Kiver  through  its  own  canals 
and  also  through  the  Lone  Tree  Canal  from  the  Fresno  District.  The 
Consolidated  Disti-ici  also  delivers  water  to  the  Island  No.  3  District. 
The  canal  supply  considered  in  the  following  discussion  is  the  net 
supply  of  the  area  within  the  district  boundaries. 

Cround  water  is  readily  obtained  throughout  the  district  in  wells  oi' 
shalloAV  depth.  As  the  canal  supply  is  available  mainly  only  during 
a  short  season,  pumping  both  as  the  entire  source  of  supply  and  to 
sup])lement  canal  service  has  been  extensively  used. 

Of  the  gross  area  of  149.888  acres  in  this  district,  81,500  acres  are 
re])orted  as  receiving  canal  service  and  44,000  acres  as  1>eing  supplied 
entirely  by  pumps.  The  season  of  delivery  under  the  canals  is  usually 
short,  the  water  rigid  of  this  district  supplying  less  water  in  late  sum- 
mer months  than  that  of  the  Fresno  district.  In  conseriuerice.  nearly 
all  land  I'cceiving  canal  service  secures  supplemental  supplies  for 
puni[)ing. 

The  upper  end  of  the  area  served  by  the  Consolidated  District  near 
SJanger  is  adjaccTit  to  the  upper  end  of  the  Fresno  District  and  Kings 
l^iver.  The  district  extends  to  the  southwest,  being  bounded  by  Kings 
l\i\-er  along  the  east.  As  shoAvn  on  Map  No.  1  the  ground  water  in  the 
poftion  of  the  district  adjacent  to  Kings  I?iver  slopes  toward  the  river, 
the  i-einaindei-  has  a  slope  in  a  general  southwesterly  direction.  The 
gi'ound  water  fluctuations  vary  within  the  district  due  to  these  factors 
of  location.  They  also  vary,  depending  on  the  relative  areas  of  canal 
and  pump  service.  In  the  western  portion  of  the  district  there  is 
nearly  as  large  an  ai'ea  supplied  entirely  by  pumps  as  there  is  supplied 
by  canals:  in  the  remainder  of  the  district  there  is  over  three  times 
as  large  an  area  under  canal  service  as  served  by  pumps  alone.  Satis- 
factory supplies  can  be  secured  from  relatively  shallow  wells  in.  all 
parts  of  the  district. 


Ground   Waicr  Ersourcrs,  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.       57 

GROUND  WATER  FLUCTUATIONS  DECEMBER  1  TO  MARCH  1. 

Tlio  ground  wator  rtiu-tuatioiis  for  tlie  ontiro  district  for  each  winter 
for  which  records  are  available  are  shown  in  the  following  table: 

Divprsion  in  arrc-  Average  yround  water 

feet  per  acre  of  fliiclndtion  from  Dec.  1  h'nhifnll  frcna 

combined  canal  and  to  Mar.  1  of  the  folloic-  Dec.  I  to  Mar.  1, 

Hca.fon                                       pump  service                  ing  ic inter,  in  feet  in  inches 

1922     2.05                                          — 0.1  4.04 

1923     1.7.T                                            —0.6  1.09 

ri24     .20                                          —0.05  3.99 

l;j2r)     1.64                                          —0.4  3.26 

In  order  to  indicate  the  eflPect  of  the  general  ground  water  conditions 
on  the  ground  water  fluctuations  during  the  winter  months,  the  area 
of  tlie  district  was  divided  inlo  four  parts  representing  approximately 
equal  areas  exi  ending  across  the  district  from  the  northeast  toward  the 
southwest.  These  areas  do  not  represent  lands  served  by  separate 
canals,  as  the  distribution  system  extends  in  general  across  their 
boundaries. 

Tile  ground  water  fluctuations  from  December  1  to  ^larch  1  for  each 
of  tlie.se  four  areas  are  shown  in  Fig.  6.  Tlie  greater  tendency  toward 
lowering  in  the  upper  portion  of  the  district  and  the  gain  even  in  years 
of  below  normal  rainfall  in  the  lower  areas  are  shown  by  these  results. 
The  rainfall  for  these  months  at  Fresno  was  used  for  these  comparisons. 
'I'he  average  rainfall  is  4.4')  inches.  The  amount  of  rainfall  required 
to  maintain  the  ground  water  during  these  months  appears  to  he  as 
follows : 

Flucluation  s 
Tnrh.es  rainfoll  that  would- 

Dercmber  1  to  March  t  occur  xcith 

required  to  m.ainlnin  vormn.l  rnin- 

Arra.  fjroiind  water  '""•     Frr.t. 

1    (1  — .:? 

2 7  — .4 

?,      4  0 

4      2. .5  +.4 

AVliole    di.strict    4.5  0 

If  no  rainfall  occurred,  the  ground  Avater  in  areas  1  and  2  would 
apparently  lower  an  average  of  about  1.25  feet  during  the  winter 
months.  The  lowering  under  the  same  conditions  in  areas  3  and  4 
Avould  be  about  0.5  foot.  This  lowering  Avould  be  the  result  of  draft 
and  ground  water  movement.  If  the  draft  is  assumed  to  be  uniform 
in  both  areas  a  draining  out  from  the  upper  area  of  about  0.35  foot 
depth  of  ground  water  during  these  three  months  would  be  indicated. 
This  would  be  ('(puvalent  to  a  draininu'  out  of  1.4  feet  depth  of  ground 
Avater  ])er  year  or  about  one-third  acre-foot  of  Avater  -per  acre.  The 
(hflference  in  the  fluctuations  in  the.se  areas  indicates  that  some  ontAvard 
movement  of  gi'ound  water  occurs  from  the  higher  to  the  lower  areas. 

GROUND  WATER   FLUCTUATIONS   MARCH    1   TO   DECEMBER   1. 

The  average  ground  water  fluctuations  for  the  entire  area  of  the 
Consolidated  District  together  Avitli  the  diversions  are  sliOAvn  in  the 
folloAving  table  for  the  years  covered  by  the  available  record.     The 


k 


58 


Department  of  Puhlic  Works. 


ground  water  fluctuations  are  those  from  March  1  to  December  1. 
The  canal  delivery  is  also  received  during  this  period : 


Season 

1922  _ 

1923  _ 

1924  _ 

1925  _ 


nit-e^rsion  in  ncre-feet 

per  acre  of  total  crop 

area 

2.05 
1.75 
0.20 
1.64 


Avr.ruae  fluctuation 

of  the  (/round  water 

in  feet 

+  0.45 
— 0.15 
— 3.15 

+  0.55 


Total    for    four-year    period — 2.30 


-1-1.0 


-2.0 


AREA  1. 


AREA  4 


-(■1.0 


-1.0 


o 
ai 


0.0 


-1.0 


AREA  2. 


^•iq? 

1924-25* 
|.?4    ''' 



•1922-23 
^5-26 

■n.o 


ENTIRE  DISTRICT. 


Ol 

c 

JZ 


a 

u 
> 
< 


■n.o 


-1.0 


AREA  3. 


Areas  1,2,3  and  4  extend  across  the 

district  in  a  southeasterly  and  north 

westerly  direction  from  Northeast 

to  Southwest. 


Rainfall       in      inches. 

FIG.  6.  Relation  of  change  in  level  of  ground  water  during  December, 
January,  and  February,  to  the  rainfall  during  the  same  months,  in  the 
Consolidated    Irrigation    District. 

The  available  canal  delivery  records  enable  the  ground  water  fluctua- 
tions and  delivery  of  water  to  be  compared  for  three  areas  in  the 
district.    One  area  consists  of  lands  in  the  upper  portion  of  the  district, 


Ground   Woier  h'csouncs.  Southern   San  Joaquin   Valley.       59 

one  of  a  larger  area  in  the  soutlieastern  part  of  the  district  extending 
along  Kings  River  and  the  third  is  the  western  half  of  the  district. 

The   groiuul   water   Huctuations  fi'oiu   ^Nlarch   1    to   Ueceiiiher   1   are 

I>lotted  against  the  delivery  of  water  per  acre  of  total  crop  served  l)y 

both  canals  and  i)unips  in  Fig.  7  for  each  of  the  four  years  covered 

by  tlie  records.     These   comparisons  are  made   on   a   similar   basis  to 

•  those  previously  discussed  for  certain  areas  in  the  Fresno  District. 

In  general  a  fair  consistency  is  sliown  between  the  (piantity  of  water 
delivered  per  acre  of  crop  and  the  resulting  ground  water  fluctuations. 


E 
u 
o 
I) 

Q 


u 

rs 

E 

8 


UPPER  END  OF  DISTRICT. 


+2.0 


+1.0 


-1.0 


-2.0 


-3.0 


/ 

192 

5» /• 

/i9; 

1922 
13 

/ 

/ 

J 

24 

1.0       2.0      3.0       4.0 


SOUTHEAST  PART  OF  DISTRICT. 
+2.0 

+  1.0 


-1.0 


-2.0 


-3.0 


-4.0 


/.1 922 

192*5 
J 

A 1923 

1 

/ 

/l92 

4 

1.0      2.0       3.0      4.0 


3 
? 

at 

o 

SOUTHWEST  PART  OF  DISTRICT 

? 

Under  Fowler  Switch  Canal. 

c 

o 

a 
c 

0 

^^iJ 

-ri922 

a 

1923/ 

J 

-1.0 

~7 

-2.0 

/ 

/ 

-3.0 

/l92^ 

ENTIRE  DISTRICT. 


+1.0 
0 
-1.0 
-2.0 
-3.0 
-4.0 


1 

)25«y 

1 
•1922 

/19 

23 

/ 

' 

/ 

^1924 

1.0      2.0       3.0      4.0 


1.0      2.0       3.0      4.0 


Canal  diversion  in  acre-feet  per  acre. 

FIG.  7.  Relation  of  volume  of  water  diverted  by  canals  to  change 
in  level  of  ground  water,  in  areas  under  canals,  in  Consolidated 
Irrigation   District. 

The  results  for  1925  are  less  consistent  with  those  for  1922  and  1923. 
In  1925  the  general  gi-ound  water  was  lower  and  losses  by  outward 
movement  and  from  low  areas  usually  wet  were  reduced. 

For  the  upper  area,  in  order  to  maintain  the  ground  water,  a 
delivery  of  about  2.25  acre-feet  per  acre  appears  to  be  required.  For 
the  area  along  the  river  with  higher  ground  water  as  in  1922  and  15)23, 
a  requirement  of  slightly  over  2  acre-feet  per  acre  is  indicated ;  for  the 
conditions  in  1925  less  than  2  acre-feet  appears  to  be  needed.     For 


(iO 


Df'parlmrnI  of  Puhlic  Vi'orks. 


WELL  7.     Npar  Kinns  River. 


WELL  18.     Near  Fowler. 


WELL  25.     West  of  Selma. 


WELL  20.     East  cl  Selma. 


WELL  13.     NortlTwest  part  of  district. 


WELL  42.     Near  Kingsburg. 


Z[DCCCt>z-'Ca->->o 
2^5       <      S^--*-       "O      i.Q 


WELL  3?.    Southwest  part  ot  district. 


.<        UJ       <       0.       2        O-      3        D.      Ul        O       O       UJ 

->    u?    2    <i    2    i;    ->    <    y>    o    2    o 


LEGEND. 


1922  .-- ---.— -^  1924 

1923    *■ •- 1925 

1926 


FIG.    8.   Hydrographs   of   typical    wells    in    Consolidated    Irrigation    District. 


Ground   Walcr  Ecsourccs,  ISoutheni  ISan  Joaquin   Valley.       61 

iiverage  conditions  liable  to  occur  in  the  future  2  acre-feet  would 
appear  probable.  For  the  western  part  of  the  district  a  delivery  into 
the  area  of  1.4  acre-feet  per  acre  would  appear  to  be  sufficient  to 
maintain  the  ground  water. 

Tlu'se  indications  vary  rather  widely.  The  variations  are  relatively 
consistent,  however,  when  the  local  conditions  are  considered.  Outward 
i!!OV(Miient  Avould  be  expected  to  occur  from  tiie  two  upper  areas  Avhich 
would  increase  the  delivery  rcfiuired  to  maintain  the  s:round  water. 
Such  movement  into  the  lower  area  api)arently  occui-s.  For  the  whole 
district  the  average  requirement  for  delivery  into  the  district  appears 
to  be  about  1.75  acre-feet  per  acre  of  area  irrigated.  The  difference 
in  the  indicated  rfquirement  for  the  upper  and  lower  area  would  eorre- 
sr)ond  to  a  grouiul  water  movement  into  the  lower  and  western  ai'ea  of 
about  0.33  acre-foot  per  acre  which  is  in  agreement  with  the  indicated 
movement  based  on  the  fluctuations  during  the  winter  months. 

The  variations  in  evaporation  from  moist  areas  and  reduction  in  out- 
ward movement  due  to  the  lowering  of  the  ground  water  during  the 
period  covered  by  the  ground  water  records  prevent  the  making  of  an 
estimate  of  the  drainage  factor  on  the  basis  used  in  the  Fresno  Irri- 
gation District.  The  probable  drainage  factor  for  llie  Consolidated 
District  area  would  be  expected  to  be  as  large  as  that  for  the  Fresno 
District,  as  the  soil  materials  are  fully  as  coarse  in  texture. 

If  a  value  of  the  drainage  factor  of  20  per  cent  is  assumed,  for  1922 
liie  total  canal  supply  received  in  the  Consolidated  District  minus  the 
water  represented  by  the  rise  of  the  ground  water  would  be  about 
24-r),U00  acre-feet  Similarly  for  1925  the  total  canal  supply  received  in 
the  distri(?t  minus  the  water  represented  by  the  ground  water  rise 
would  be  about  190,000  acre-feet.  If  the  same  area  of  crop  consumed 
the  same  amount  of  actual  moisture  in  these  two  years,  the  indicated 
difference  in  outward  movement  of  ground  water  and  loss  of  mois- 
ture by  evaporation  from  ponds  and  moist  areas  would  be  55,000  acre 
feet.  This  would  represent  a  reduction  in  ground  water  losses  due  to 
the  lowering  of  the  ground  water  between  1922  and  1925.  Additional 
I'criods  of  record  should  be  secured  before  dependence  should  be  placed 
in  the  amount  of  this  indicated  dift'erence.  These  results  however  are 
sufficient  to  indicate  that  a  smaller  canal  supply  will  meet  the  crop 
requii'ements  and  nuiintain  the  ground  water  under  the  ground  water 
conditions  obtaining  in  1925  than  would  be  required  under  the  con- 
ditions of  1922. 

Hydrographs   of   Typical    Wells. 

lI\drographs  of  typical  wells  are  shown  in  Fig  8.  Well  7  is  near 
Kings  River  south  of  Sanger;  a  ra])id  rise  during  the  period  of  canal 
delivery  and  a  similarly  rapid  lowering  beginning  in  August  is  shown. 
l*art  of  the  lowering  in  1924  was  recovered  in  1925.  AVell  20  is  4  miles 
e^ist  of  Selma  and  about  the  same  distance  from  King.s  Kiver.  Little 
recovery  in  1925  is  shown.  Well  42  is  near  Kingsburg  and  Kings 
River;  some  recovery  in  1925  occurred. 

Well  18  near  Fowler  shows  little  effect  of  canal  service  and  a  small 
lowering  in  1924.  Well  25,  2  miles  west  of  Selma,  shows  the  cft'ect 
of  use  in  tlie  canals  with  a  lowering  in  1924  that  was  not  recovered 
ill  1925.     Well  ];?  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  district  shows  little 


()2  Department  of  Public  Works. 

iiioiitlily  fluctiKitioii  mid  little  lowcriiiu'  occuri'cd  cxeopt  in  lf)24.  Well 
:}8  ill  the  southwest  part  of  the  distriet  siiows  the  ett'eet  of  the  pumping 
in  that  area.    Lowering  has  occurred  in  each  year  since  1923. 

GROUND    WATER    IN    LAGUNA    IRRIGATION    DISTRICT. 

The  pumping  plants  in  the  Laguna  Irrigation  District  were  can- 
vassed hy  the  district  during  the  winter  of  1924-25.  A  total  of  108 
plants  were  reported,  of  which  nearly  one-half  had  been  installed  in 
192-1.  Open  bottom,  well  point  and  perforated  wells  are  used,  about 
two-thirds  of  the  plants  being  well  points  with  from  one  to  three  wells 
per  plant.  All  wells  reported  are  relatively  shallow,  many  not  exceed- 
ing oO  feet  in  depth.  No  deep  or  artesian  wells  are  reported  and  the 
conditions  for  obtaining  such  Avells  are  not  known.  Judged  by  condi- 
tions to  the  west  in  the  Riverdale  District  and  the  results  with  wells 
near  Conejo  to  the  east,  wells  of  good  yield,  600  to  800  feet  deep,  should 
be  obtainable  in  the  Laguna  Distriet. 

The  depth  to  water  in  1924  varied  from  6  to  15  feet ;  the  conditions 
in  1924  i-esulted  in  a  lower  ground  water  than  normal.  Drawdown 
wlien  operating  averaged  about  20  feet.  The  average  discharge  is  about 
0.8  second-feet.  The  plants  installed  at  the  time  of  this  canvas.s  had 
sufficient  capacity  to  irrigate  alwut  30  per  cent  of  the  area  in  the 
district.  A  material  increase  in  the  number  of  plants  has  occurred 
since  1924. 

Ground  water  records  were  begun  in  this  area  in  August,  1925.  The 
records  now  available  are  not  sutticient  to  permit  a  detail  analysis  of 
the  ground  water  supply  to  be  made.  Available  data  support  the  con- 
clusion that  relatively  inexpensive  plants  can  be  installed  in  this  dis- 
triet. which  can  be  (\\pected  to  give  discharges  of  al)out  one  second-foot 
with  relatively  small  lifts.  Under  existing  conditions  of  canal  supply 
which  result  in  a  short  season  of  delivery,  such  pumping  plants  should 
assist  in  controlling  the  uround  water  so  that  it  does  not  rise  to  such 
iieiglits  as  to  become  injurious  as  well  as  to  sui)ply  supplemental 
irrigation. 

GROUND   WATER   IN    RIVERDALE   IRRIGATION    DISTRICT. 

The  records  available  for  the  Riverdale  Irrigation  District  consist  of 
a  single  series  of  measurements  in  1921  and  in  1924.  ami  continuous 
readings  begun  in  1925.  A  comparison  of  17  wells  observed  both  in 
1921  and  in  1924  shows  an  average  lowering  of  6  feet. 

In  1921  thirty-three  wells  were  reported.  In  1924  three  times  this 
number  were  iii  use.  A  large  part  of  the  increase  occurred  in  1924. 
The  shallow  wells  ari-  either  of  open  bottom,  well  point  or  perforated 
type.  The  average  dei>th  to  water  was  13  feet  with  an  average  draw- 
down of  21  feet.  The  average  discharge  was  one  second-foot.  The 
depth  of  open  bottom  wells  varied  from  100  to  200  feet,  being  greater 
in  the  eastern  part  of  the  district.  Well  i)oint  wells  varied  from  40 
to  150  feet  in  deptli.  those  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  area  are  of  less 
depth  than  those  in  the  western  part.  The  perforated  wells  are  gen- 
erally from  80  to  140  feet  in  depth. 


Ground   Water  Resources,  Southern   San  Joaquin  Valley.       63 

In  addition  to  tlie  shalloAv  wells,  7  deep  or  arteoiaii  wulls  were 
reported.  Tlieso  are  from  SOO  to  looO  feet  deep  and  have  an  average 
discharge  of  over  2  second-feet. 

Tliere  were  snflfieient  punipinu'  i)lants  in  this  distiiet  in  1f)24  to 
sup|)ly  about  40  per  cent  of  the  area  of  the  district.  Tiiero  has  been  a 
materia!  increase  in  the  use  of  s>'ronnd  water  since  1924.  The  extent 
of  di'Vt'lopinent  of  shidi(»\\-  wclis  is  suftifient  to  demonstrate  the  feasi- 
bility of  securing'  i>rountl  water  supplies  from  relatively  inex})ensive 
plants  in  practically  any  ])art  of  the  district.  The  presence  of  deeper 
strata  in  the  western  portion  of  the  district  is  also  demonstrated.  While 
no  deeper  wells  were  reported  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  district,  it 
is  probable  that  such  wells  could  be  secured  in  this  area  also.  With  less 
expensive  shallow  sH]ii)]ii's  available  the  desirability  of  attempting'  to 
secure  deeper  wells  may  l)e  (luestionable. 

The  Riverdale  District  receives  its  main  canal  supply  during  a  rela- 
tively short  season,  t'se  is  heavy  during  such  periods  with  a  resulting 
ri.se  of  the  ground  water.  Pumping  from  shallow  wells  is  beneficial 
both  from  the  usefulness  of  the  water  pumped  and  also  because  of  the 
resulting  lowering  of  the  ground  water  and  drainage. 

GROUND    WATER    SUPPLIES    IN    KINGS    RIVER    AREAS    NOT    DIRECTLY 

SERVED    BY   CANALS. 

There  is  an  area  of  about  180.000  acres  lying  lietween  the  Fresno 
and  Consolidated  Irrigation  districts  and  the  areas  irrigated  by  diver- 
sion from  Murphy  and  Fresno  sloughs  that  is  not  irrigated.  In  the 
past  the  ground  water  has  been  at  or  near  the  surface  in  much  of  this 
area.  The  ground  water  slopes  from  the  Fresno  and  Consolidated 
(bstricts  into  this  area.  Surface  overflow  or  ground  water  movement 
has  resulted  in  the  rise  of  the  ground  water  to  within  a  few  feet  of 
the  ground  surface.  ^luch  of  the  land  is  now  alkaline.  Definite  infor- 
mation regarding  its  original  condition  is  not  available  but  nnich  of 
it  appears  to  have  been  of  jioor  quality  prior  to  irrigation. 

This  area  has  been  regarded  as  a  source  of  ground  water  supply  and 
some  development  has  been  made  by  the  James  Irrigation  District. 
All  extensive  developments  planned  in  this  area  contemplate  the  con- 
veyance of  the  water  secured  to  otlier  areas  for  use.  There  are  some 
areas  now  securing  water  by  pumping  for  use  on  the  overlying  land, 
but  these  are  relatively  small  in  extent  and  adjacent  to  the  boundaries 
of  the  canal  irrigated  areas. 

It  has  l)een  generally  assumed  that  where  the  ground  water  was 
within  6  to  8  feet  of  tiie  surface  loss  from  the  ground  water  would 
occur  due  to  capillary  rise  of  moisture  ^\ithin  the  root  zone  of  plants 
or  by  evaporation  fi-om  the  soil  surface.  Available  inf(u-nuition  indi- 
cates that  formerly  nuich  of  this  area  had  ground  water  within  less 
than  (j  feet  of  the  surface  and  there  are  accounts  of  difficulties  with 
miring  teams  and  otliei'  incidents  tliat  indicate  that  water  practically 
.<-;tood  on  the  surface  at  times.  Old  roads  were  built  on  fills  to  avoid 
such  dil'ti(;ulties. 

Actual  records  of  ground  water  in  this  area  are  not  extensive.  How- 
ever no  records  indicate  ground  water  in  much  of  this  area  within  6 


(i4 


Department  of  I'ublic  IVor/.-.?. 


WELLS  IN  FRESNO  IRRIGATION  DISTRICT. 


+4.0 


WELLS  ALONG  McMULLIN  GRADE.     Not  pumped. 


T3 

C 


o 


c        +4.0 


+2.0 

ID 

O 

0.0 

-2.0 

-4.0 

-6.0 


-8.0 


-10.0 


1921 


PL'MPED  WELLS  OF  lAMES  IRRIGATION  DISTRICT. 


1922 


1923 


1924 


1925 


FIG.  9.  Change  In  level  of  ground  water,  since  November,  1921,  In  shallow  wells 
of  James  Irrigation  District  and  wells  in  adjacent  areas  in  the  Fresno  Irrigation 
District. 


Grounfl    M'atcr   h'rsources,  SoiiHicrn    San   Joaquiu    Valley.       65 

feet  of  the  surface  in  reeent  years.  AVIumi  the  wells  nf  the  James  Dis- 
trict were  drilled  in  the  northern  |>art  of  this  area  in  lf*2(>.  the  averaije 
(lei)th  of  {ground  wafer  in  the  wells  was  nine  feet.  This  was  prior  to 
any  draft  in  this  aif.i  and  followinu'  a  period  of  average  stream  flow. 
This  raises  the  (piestion  of  what  was  tlie  source  of  the  water  that  for- 
merly reached  this  ai'ea  in  sufficient  quantity  to  cause  water-logging 
and  now  has  diminished  so  that  lowering  occurred  without  any  local 
draft. 

li-rigation  in  the  Fresno  ;ii'ea  hci^an  ahout  fifty  years  ago  and 
increased  gradually  for  man\-  years.  A^'ailable  infornuition  indicates 
that  some  surface  waste  probably  occurred  in  these  earlier  years 
although  no  records  of  its  amounts  are  available.  In  more  recent  years 
the  increase  in  the  area  irrigated  and  the  closer  management  of  the 
canals  has  i-esulted  in  the  reduction  and  practical  elimination  of  such 
waste. 

Also  in  recent  years  pumping  within  the  upper  irrigation  districts 
has  increased  rapidly.  Such  pumping  would  tend  to  intercept  move- 
numt  of  ground  water  into  this  area.  It  is  considered  that  the  factors 
affecting  the  ground  water  prior  to  1920  would  be  nuiinly  the  reduction 
in  surface  waste  as  pumping  pi'ior  to  that  time  was  not  as  extensive  as 
at  present.  If  this  eonclusion  is  correct,  ground  water  movement  into 
this  area  was  not  sufficient  Uy  itself  to  maintain  the  ground  water  at 
or  near  the  ground  surface. 

'1  here  is  an  additional  ai'ca  of  similar  general  character  in  the  south- 
ern pai't  of  tliis  area  between  Kings  River  and  Murphy  Slough  on  the 
south  and  the  Consolidated  Irrigation  District  to  the  north  in  which 
some  canal  diversions  occur.  The  direct  diversions  into  this  area  make 
it  difficult  to  segregate  the  effect  of  decreased  diversions  during  recent 
years  of  below  normal  stream  fiow  and  any  effects  of  changed  ground 
water  conditions  to  the  northeast. 

The  James  Irrigation  District  has  two  lines  of  wells  operating  in  this 
area.  One  extends  mainly  in  a  north  and  south  line  into  the  area  south- 
west of  Kerman,  the  other  extends  along  McIMullin  grade  to  Dubois. 
The  wells  vary  from  150  to  300  feet  in  depth.  The  average  discharge 
is  about  2'  second-feet  jier  well.  The  total  annual  draft  on  these  wells 
has  varied  from  6700  acre-feet  in  1921  to  20.000  acre-feet  in  1924. 

No  other  adjacent  wells  were  observed  prior  to  1925.  The  James 
District  wells  lia\'e  been  I'cad  wiicn  not  operating  during  the  winter 
season.  Some  lowei'ing  has  resulted.  There  was  an  average  lowering 
for  tlie  four  years  J 922  to  1925  of  about  8  feet  in  the  17  wells  extending 
to  the  north,  of  about  4.5  feet  in  the  14  wells  along  the  ^IcMullin  Grade 
which  were  pumped  and  1.5  feet  for  the  10  wells  which  were  not 
])Umped  prior-  to  1926. 

In  Fig.  it  is  shown  a  comparison  of  the  fluctuations  of  these  wells 
with  wells  in  adjacent  areas  in  the  Fresno  District,  the  dates  used  being 
those  <'orrespon(ling  to  the  dates  for  which  readings  on  the  James  wells 
are  available.  The  grouj)  of  Fresno  District  wells,  near  Dubois,  repre- 
sents the  area  neai'est  to  tiie  .lames  wells,  the  other  is  in  line  with  the 
gi-ound  water  slope  to  the  east  and  nearer  Fresno.  All  wells  rose  dur- 
ing the  winter  of  1921-22.  Over  8  inches  of  rain  occurred  in  December, 
January  and  February, of  this  season.     The  James  wells  lowered  more 

5 — I707G 


66  Deparfninit  of  Public    Works. 

during;  ]J)22  and  1!)28  than  tho  wells  in  the  Fresno  District.  In  1924 
the  wells  in  tiie  Fresno  Uistriet  lowei-ed  inoie  than  those  of  the  James 
Distriet.  In  1!*25  the  wells  of  the  Fr(»snn  District  rose,  those  of  the 
■James  District  loweretl. 

Of  the  James  District  wells,  those  not  nsed  lowered  less  than  those 
from  which  i)uinpinji-  occurred.  The  comparisons  shown  in  Fig.  9  are 
considered  to  indicate  that  there  is  little  direct  response  in  the  James 
wells  to  ground  water  fluctuations  in  the  Fresno  District.  The  James 
welLs,  near  Dubois,  being  closer  to  the  Fresno  District  and  not  pumped 
would  be  expected  to  reflect  fluctuations  in  the  Fresno  District  more 
definitely  than  the  pumped  wells  of  the  James  District.  P]xcept  for 
1922  which  wa.s  eft'ected  by  the  heavy  rainfall  of  the  preceding  winter, 
the  unpumped  James  wells  have  lowered  with  little  variation  due  to 
seasons  or  fluctuations  in  the  Fresno  District.  The  pumped  wells  have 
also  lowered  continuously  at  an  increasing  rate  during  the  past  three 
years.  The  increased  rate  of  lowering  is  probably  due  to  the  increased 
pumping  from  these  wells  rather  than  any  effect  of  conditions  in  dis- 
tant areas. 

Observations  are  not  available  on  which  to  base  an  estimate  of  the 
area  affected  by  the  James  wells.  The  wells  are  located  so  that  they 
would  be  expected  to  intercept  the  ground  water  movement  into  an  area 
of  about  40,000  acres.  The  total  draft  for  the  four  years,  1922  to  1925. 
has  been  61.400  acre-feet,  or  at  an  average  rate  of  about  one  and  one- 
half  acre-foot  per  acre,  if  the  area  affected  is  40.000  acres.  The  total 
lowering  at  the  wells  has  averaged  about  5^  feet  for  the  same  period. 
The  average  lowering  over  the  whole  area  would  be  less  than  this  amount. 
This  draft  is  larger  than  would  be  made  available  from  the  lowering 
within  this  area  and  some  ground  water  movement  into  the  area  is 
indicated. 

There  is  no  other  extensive  development  in  this  area  at  present. 
Pumping  is  contemplated  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  area  near 
.^^ur})hy  Slough.  Test  wells  about  500  feet  deep  operated  during  part 
of  1926  showed  discharges  as  large  as  5  second-feet.  It  is  planned  to 
use  the  water  so  developed  in  an  exchange  of  water  between  the  Foothill 
Irrigation  District  and  the  Alurphy  S^lough  Association. 

GROUND    WATER    IN    FOOTHILL    IRRIGATION    DISTRICT. 

About  20,000  acres  of  llu'  56.000  acres  in  this  district  are  now  sup- 
plieil  by  local  wells  within  the  area.  The  discharge  averages  less  than 
one-fourth  second-foot  per  well  and  the  water  table  has  lowered 
materially  in  recent  years.  No  sy.stenuitic  records  of  ground  water 
fluctuations  have  been  maintained,  but  both  general  observations  and 
the  opinions  of  land  owners  support  the  conclusion  that  the  local 
sources  of  ground  watei'  supply  are  inadequate  to  support  the  existing 
draft. 

The  present  planted  area  consists  of  about  one-half  vines  and  one- 
half  trees,  citrus  representing  nearly  three-fourths  of  the  latter  plant- 
ings.    Tile  water  requirements  are  less  than  for  other  types  of  crops. 

The  wells  are  generally  from  75  to  200  feet  in  depth  to  the  under- 
lying rock.  The  lift  has  varied  from  about  12  to  14  feet  before  pump- 
ing to  a  present  average  of  SO  to  90  feet. 


I 


(jlrouiul    l\(;/(7'   h'csoiiices,   ^ioiillnni    Sail    .Imuniin    Valley.       67 

The  plottiiifi:  of  llir  depths  to  water  reported  in  11)25  on  the  topo- 
•rra])lii»'  maps  of  tliis  area  indicates  that  the  present  oronnd  water  is 
iclativcly  liat  having'  iitth-  shi|)e  eitlier  toward  llie  liills  or  towartl  the 
Alta  ("anal  on  the  west.  The  ireneral  jrronnd  water  elevations  appear  to 
he  alxmt  2')  feet  lower  lliaii  those  to  llie  west  of.  lint  adjacent  to.  the 
Alta  Canal. 

It  is  generally  conceded  that  i)resent  development  exceeds  the  ground 
water  supply  and  that  outside  sources  of  supply  must  be  obtained  if  the 
existing  area  is  to  be  permanently  maintained. 

GROUND    WATER    IN    THE   ALTA    IRRIGATION    DISTRICT. 

The  Alta  Irrigation  District  includes  129,o00  acres  of  which  81,600 
acres  are  reported  as  irrigated  from  the  canals.  While  the  larger  part 
of  the  cropped  area  also  secures  supplemental  water  by  pumping  from 
wells,  a  relatively  small  area  de])ends  entirely  on  pumping.  Some 
delivery  of  water  from  canals  is  also  made  to  areas  of  pasturage  in  the 
southwestern  part  of  the  district. 

The  water  rights  of  the  Alta  Iri'igation  District  result  in  the  district 
receiving  its  main  water  supply  in  the  early  summer  months.  No 
supply  Ls  usually  i-eceived  tluring  Augu.st  and  September,  a  secondary 
supply  is  secured  in  OctolxM-  and  November. 

'i'he  main  area  of  the  Alta  District  is  highly  developed,  principally 
in  \'ines  and  trees.  The  southwestern  portion  of  the  district  is  used 
more  largely  for  pasturage.  Ground  water  supplies  for  pumping  are 
available  throughout  the  district  at  relatively  shallow  depths  as  shown 
on  ^lap  No.  2.     Adeijuate  yields  are  obtainable  from  shallow^  wells. 

The  ground  water  conditions  in  the- diflferent  parts  of  the  district 
vary.  The  ground  water  and  canal  delivery  records  have  been  sepa- 
rated for  six  different  areas.  The  areas  along  Kings  River  represent 
the  parts  of  the  district  within  two  to  four  miles  of  Kings  River,  whose 
ground  water  drains  more  directly  toward  Kings  River,  as  shown  on 
^lap  No.  1 .  The  area  north  of  Dinuba  represents  lands  between  the  Kings 
River  area  and  Smith  IMountain.  The  central  area  consists  of  lands, 
Hiainly  south  of  Dinuba,  in  the  center  of  the  district.  The  southeastern 
area  consists  of  lands  under  several  latei'al  canals  lying  east  of  Dinuba. 
The  Button  and  Travel-  areas  consist  of  the  lands  served  by  the  dis- 
trict's canals  of  these  names. 

The  same  general  method  of  ground  water  discussion  has  been  fol- 
I(<wed  as  for  the  Fresno  and  Consolidated  districts  as  tiie  same  char- 
acter and  extent  of  records  are  available.  The  year  has  been  divided 
into  the  same  two  pei'iods  of  a  winter  and  a  sunuuer  season. 

GROUND  WATER  FLUCTUATIONS  FROM  DECEMBER  1  TO  MARCH  1. 

The  ground  water  fluctuations  dui'ing  the  winter  months  do  not  vary 
with  the  ext<'nt  of  the  canal  su|)ply  received  dui'ing  tlie  preceding 
summer.  Such  fluctuations  are,  liowevei",  proportional  in  general  to 
the  amount  of  the  i-ainfall  dui'ing  these  months  as  shown  in  Fig.  10. 
As  in  the  case  of  the  Fresno  and  Consolidated  districts,  this  variation 
of  the  ground  water  with  the  rainfall  is  not  considered  to  represent 
direct  penetration  to  the  water  table  of  the  rainfall  but  to  be  due  to 


68  Department  of  Puhlic  Works. 

the  local  run-off  ami  pumping:  draft  during-  these  months  which  are 
themselves  proportional  to  the  rainfall.  The  rainfall  plotted  in  Fig. 
li'  is  that  at  Fresno  for  which  the  mean  annual  amount  foi-  tliese  three 
winter  months  is  4.45  inches. 

The  availahle  records  of  ground  water  fluctuation  for  the  entire  Alta 
District  for  ihc  winter  months  are  shown  in  the  following  table: 

Dirfrs'Kin  in  nrre-  Ai'tra<jc  around  iratrr 

feet  2>er  acre  of  Hnftnntwn  from  Dei-.  1  I'ti.iiit'ill  tnnii 

combined  canal  and  to  .]far.  I  ut  the  /o^ok;-  r)e<:.  1  to  Mar. 

Season                                      punip  service                   infi  winter,  in  }eet  1,  in  inches 

1''21     1.S7                                           +0.45  8.12 

1<J22     2.07                                          — 0.30  4.04 

i;t23     2.01                                          — 1.30  1.09 

]!'24     0.18                                             +0.15  3.99 

1925     1.95                                          — 0.30  3.26 

The  effect  of  drainage  toward  Kings  River  is  noticeable  for  the  Kings 
Eiver  area.  The  results  for  the  years  1921-22  to  1923-24  are  consistent. 
In  1924  the  ground  water  lowered  an  average  of  9  feet  in  this  area,  of 
v>hich  only  3  feet  were  recovered  in  1925.  Tender  the  lower  ground 
water  of  1924—25  and  1925-26  a  much  smaller  rainfall  will  apparently 
maintain  the  ground  water  in  this  area  during  these  months  than  that 
needed  for  the  conditions  of  the  preceding  years.  The  lower  ground 
water  elevation  results  in  a  snudlei-  grouiul  water  slope  toward  Kings 
Kiver  with  apparently  a  rcductinn  in  the  rate  of  outward  movement 
of  ground  water. 

The  area  noi'th  of  Dinuba  shows  similar  characteristics  to  the  Kings 
l^iver  area.  The  total  ground  water  lowering  in  1924  was  about  15 
feet,  of  which  al)out  .S  feet  was  recovered  in  1925.  The  Central  area 
gives  results  which  are  consisteut  for  all  years.  The  total  lowering 
in  1924  was  about  6  feet,  of  which  about  1  foot  was  recovered  in  1925. 
The  change  in  ground  water  elevati<m  does  not  appear  to  have  changed 
the  balance  between  intiow  and  outflow  in  this  area.  The  southeast 
area  shows  a  difference  for  the  winter  of  1924-25  with  1925-26  nearly 
similar  to  the  results  of  the  earlier  years.  Both  the  Button  and  Traver 
areas  are  ones  in  which  only  a  snmll  part  of  the  area  is  irrigated.  The 
lowering  of  1924  does  not  appear  to  have  made  any  material  change  in 
the  winter  fluctuation  relationshi]). 

"With  noi'mal  rainfall  of  4.5  indues  for  these  three  months,  a  ground 
water  lowering  would  oci-ur  in  the  areas  alonu'  Kings  Kiver  and  north 
of  Dinuba.  A  gain  would  occur  iu  the  Central.  Button  and  Traver 
area.  No  change  ANould  be  expected  in  the  southeast  area.  For  the 
entij-e  district  an  average  lowering  of  the  ground  water  of  about  0.2  foot 
-would  be  expected. 

GROUND   WATER   FLUCTUATIONS   MARCH    1   TO   DECEMBER   1. 

The  results  for  the  entire  area  of  the  district  are  shown  in  the  fol- 
lowing table  foi-  the  period  March  1  to  December  1  : 

Diversion  in  acre  feet  Average  flnetnation 

per  acre  of  total  of  the  ground  water 

Hcason  crop  area  in  feet 

1922    2.07  — 0.4 

1923    2.01  +0.8 

1924    .18  — 8.65 

lf25    1.95  +1.5 

Total    for    four    year    period — 6.7J 


Ground    Water  Hcaourcea,  Southern   San   Joaquin   Valley.       69 


The  tliu'tuations  of  the  <ir()uiul  Wiitci-  from  Mni-ch  1  to  December  1 
ai'c  com|);iie<l  with  tlie  delivery  of  water  in  aei-e-t'eet  per  acre  for  each 
of  tile  four  years  covered  l)y  the  records  in  Fiff.  11.     These,  in  general, 


U 


+2.0 


BUTTON  CANAL  AREA. 


2         4         6  8         10 

TRAVER  CANAL  AREA. 


2         4  6         8        10 

SOUTHEASTERN  AREA. 


AREA  ALONG  KINGS  RIVER. 


+2.0 

+  1.0 

0.0 

-1.0 

+2.0 

+  1.0 

0.0 

-1.0 
-2.0 

19 

21-22 

^ 

c 

n 

22-23 

1924-; 

5 

1- 

t> 

*-* 
ra 

s 

■o 
c 

3 

o 

^ 

^'1925-26 
i3-24 

2         4         6         8         1 
CENTRAL  AREA. 

0 

+2.0 

+  1.0 

o 

1921-22 

»" 

0.0 

> 
S 

19' 

!4-25 , 

*1922 

23 

-1.0 

c 

A 

/19 
23-24 

!5-26 

-2.0 

a 

c 

8        10 


AREA  NORTH  OF  DirJUBA. 


1925 

-26  • 

1921-22 

^ 

23-24 

1922-23 

8        10 


ENTIRE  DISTRICT. 


+2.0 
+1.0 
0.0 
-1.0 
-2.0 


192 

4-25  • 

li 

21-22 

- 

1925 
y 

-26y- 

^22- 

23 

/s 

23-24 

2  4 

inches. 


8        10 


FIG.  10.  Relation  of  change  in  level  of  ground  water  during 
December,  January,  and  February,  to  the  rainfall  during  the  same 
months,    in    the    Alta    Irrigation     District. 

are    fairly    consistent.      The    same   areas   are    used   as   for   tlie    winter 
fluctuations. 

The  ground  water  lowering  in  the  entire  Alta  District  in  1924  was 
larger  than  that  in  Ihe  Fresno  or  ('i,'ns()lidated  districts.  The  average 
tH'li\-ery  per  acre  required  1o  maintain  the  ground  water  is  not  mate- 


70 


I)i ixnhiinil   of  Public    Worls. 


lially  (liffcn-f'iit  liowevt'i*.  'riic  i'ollowinu-  table  gives  the  estimated 
.supply  iv(|uire(l  for  each  of  tluse  ai-i^as  to  meet  crop  ncM^ds  and  maintain 
the  jm'ouikI  watei-  under  cxistinir  crop  conditions.  Tlie  results  are 
based  on  the  relationships  shown  in  Fig.  11. 


ENTIRE  DISTRICT. 


CENTRAL  AREA. 


AREA  ALONG  KINGS  RIVER. 


u 

.a 

E 

V 

u 

V 

O 


+4.0 

+2.0 

0 

-2.0 

-4.0 

-6.0 

-8.0 

-10.0 


/ 

1925* 
/ 

11923 

/ 

'1922 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

1924 

+  4.0 
+2.0 
0 
-2.0 
-4.0 
-6.0 
-8.0 


I 

1p25« 
1  "  / 

f 

1923/ 
/  • 

1922 

J 

/ 

A 

/ 

1924 

1.0      2.0      3.0      4.0 


+4.0 
+2.0 
0 
-2.0 
-4.0 
-6.0 
-8.0 
-10.0 


1923*  / 
1925*  / 

/  1*922 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

1924 

1.0      2.0      3.0     4.0 


1.0      2.0      3.0      4.0 


o 

ig 

E 
8 


3 
O 


V 

ai 

c 
q 
c 
O 


AREA  NORTH  OF  DINUBA. 


+4.0 

+2.0 

0 

-2.0 

-4.0 

-6.0 

-8.0 

-10.0 

-12.0 

-14.0 

-16.0 


1925 

/ 

.1923 
'l922 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

1924 

+2.0 
0 
-2.0 
-4.0 
-6.0 


BUTTON  CANAL  AREA. 
0 

-2.0 

-4.0 

-6.0 

1.0       2  0 


in  'S 
2"V 

f 

7 

1922 

1924 

TRAVER  CANAL  AREA. 


1923 

1925 

■  • 

1922. 

^ 

^ 

1924 

SOUTHEASTERN 
AREA. 


1.0      2.0      3.0      4.0 


1.0       2.0      3.0      4.0      5.0 


1.0       2.C 


Acre 


feet 


per 


FIG.  11.  Relation  of  volume  of  water  applied  in  irrigation  to  change  in  level 
of  ground  water  during  the  period  March  1  to  December  1,  in  areas  in  Alta 
Irrigation    District. 


Kn\)i)lii  required  lo 
iiKiivlain  fjround  water 
March  1  to  December  1, 
Area  acre-feet  per  acre 

Along    KInKS    River 1.9 

North  of    Dinuba   1.8 

Central    1.8 

Southeastern    1.4 

P.utton    Canal    1.1 

'I'raver  Canal 3.5 

Entire  di.striet l.y 


Estimated 

Nit})i)l!j  required  to 

uiaintain  f/rouJtd  water 

for  entire  year, 

acre-feet  per  acre 

2.25 
1.9 
1.75 
1.4 
.9 
3.4 
1.95 


Ground   ^Vaicr   h'rsnurccs.   Southern   Suu   Joatjuin  Vallej/.       71 

As  llic  t'r()[)s  in  tlir  Alt;i  Dislrict  nw  iiuiiiily  1  i-ccs  and  vines,  liic  con- 
suMiptive  nso  of  inoistuiH'  wonUl  he  expci-tod  to  be  similar  to  that  found 
for  areas  of  these  ero{)s  in  the  PVesno  District,  except  as  the  require- 
ment of  any  area  may  l)e  affected  by  ground  water  movement.  Tlie 
Centra!  area  is  pi-obably  moi'e  lu^arly  free  from  the  intiuence  of  eitlier 
irround  water  inflow  or  outflow  than  an.v  other  i)art  of  the  Alta  Dis- 
trict, inflow  apparently  sliuiitlx-  exceeding'  outflow  with  a  probable 
approximate  balance.  Tiie  larger  re(|uirement  along  Kings  River  is 
considered  to  be  due  to  outward  gi'ound  water  drainage.  AVhile  the 
•sandier  soils  in  this  area  residt  in  larger  ai>plications  of  irrigation, 
such  larger  use  wouhl  result  in  a  rise  of  the  watei'  table  were  it  not  for 
sucli  outward  drainage.  Sonu'  outward  movement  apparently  occurs 
from  the  area  north  of  Dinuba.  Little  supply  is  to  be  expected  in  this 
area  from  the  run-off  of  the  adjacent  hill  areas,  as  this  is  probably 
intercepted  by  ])umping  on  higher  lands  in  the  Foothill  District. 

The  indicated  requirement  for  the  southeastern  area  is  less  than 
would  be  expected.  There  is  some  uncertainty  regarding  the  division 
of  use  under  the  East  P>ranch  Canal  as  between  the  areas  north  of 
Dinuba  and  this  area  that  may  effect  this  result.  Less  loweriiig 
occurred  in  the  southeastern  area  in  1924  than  north  of  Dinuba.  Sand 
Creek  passes  through  this  area  and  some  ground  water  suppl\-  From 
above  may  be  received. 

For  both  the  Button  and  Traver  canals  the  coiulitions  are  not  similai* 
to  those  for  the  other  areas  in  that  only  about  20  ])er  cent  of  the  gross 
area  is  actually  irrigated,  although  some  water  may  be  delivered  to 
additional  land  for  stock  watering  or  occasional  pasture  irrigation. 
The  figures  given  appl.y  only  to  the  present  character  and  extent  of  use. 

Th(>  Button  Canal  sei'ves  a  long  strip  of  land  along  the  south 
boundaiy  of  the  district  nortli  of  Cottonwood  Creek.  About  r)()()0  acres 
out  of  a  gross  area  of  28,500  acres  are  classified  as  irrigated.  A  delivery 
of  about  one  acre-foot  per  acre  ])lus  inflow  of  ground  water  aj^pears 
sufficient  to  maintain  the  ground  water  under  existing  conditions.  For 
the  present  area  irrigated  this  would  indicate  a  ground  water  inflow  of 
only  8000  to  4000  acre-feet.  For  the  irrigation  of  additional  lands 
under  this  canal,  a  supply  at  a  i-afe  similar  to  that  indicated  for  other 
areas  would  be  expected. 

For  the  Traver  canal  5150  acres  are  reported  irrigated  in  a  gross  area 
of  10,600  acres.  The  irriuated  land  is  located  mainly  at  the  north  end 
of  the  area.  All  water  delivered  has  been  assumed  to  be  delivered  to 
this  irrigated  area  although  some  delivei-y  for  pasturage  use  is  made 
to  the  remaining  lands.  In  the  past  high  ground  water  conditions  in 
the  lower  i)art  of  this  ai'ca  have  resulted  in  1he  loss  of  moisture  by 
evai)oi'ation.  The  deductions  for  this  area  ar(>  o)dy  ai^piicable  under 
the  existing  conditions. 

The  amount  of  water  represented  by  a  Huctuation  of  ground  water 
can  l)e  estimated  from  the  available  records.  If  the  change  in  the 
ground  water  level  in  1!)24  aiul  1925  is  assumed  to  represent  a  volume 
of  water  equal  to  the  diffei-enc(>  in  canal  supj)ly  in  these  two  years, 
a  draiiuige  factor  of  about  10  per  cent  is  indicated  for  the  upper  hard- 
pan  lands  and  20  per  cent  for  the  lower  areas.  As  some  shortage  in 
use  by  the  crops  occurred  in  192-1,  these  indicated  values  probably 
exceed  the  actual  draiiuige  factoi-.     The  average  di-ainage  factor  for  the 


72 


Departinciil  of  Public   Works. 


WELL  1.     Centerville  Bottoms. 


WELL  93.     Near  Dinuba. 


10 


^ 

\ 

■   1 

! 

♦-♦ 

192 
LI  9 

^ 

^ 

^ 

1,,         i 

o 
6i 


a 
Q 


WELL  150.     In  Button  Canal  area. 


WELL  26.     Norlli  ol  Dinuba 


zmccK  >-z-ioi-t->o 
<iij<a.  <  ^D-jiiJOOuj 
->"-2<5->-'<<«OZQ 


2(ri[r(t>-z-'Oi>-i->o 
<uj<a.  <-jD3UiOouj 
->u.5<      54-'«ti'50zO 


1921--0. 
1922 --I- 


LEGEND. 
-o —      1923 — .. 
-^  _       ;  924  — A- 

1925 ♦• 


FIG.    12.    Hydrographs   of   typical    wells    in    Alta    Irrigation    District. 


Ground    Wafer   J\(s<)iircrs,   Souflirrii    Son   Joaquin    VnJliif.       73 

cntiit'  district  is  prohiililv  ahoiit  \'2.')  per  cent.  Tin-  jfrouiul  water  rose 
more  in  l!)2r)  in  proportion  to  tlic  canal  siipi)ly  I'ct't'ivcd  tlian  would 
have  been  ex]>ected  from  11h'  records  of  the  preeedinj;  years.  The 
iii'ound  water  in  192.")  was  an  avt'i-a^c  of  i>  feet  lower  than  in  1922  for 
all  of  the  Alta  District.  A  canal  supply  of  105,000  acre-feet  in  1922 
resulted  in  maintaining  the  ground  water  witiu)ut  a  rise  or  lowering. 
A  canal  supply  of  156,000  acre-feet  in  1925  resulted  in  an  average  rise 
of  the  ground  water  of  l.H  feet.  For  a  drainage  factor  of  12.5  per  cent 
this  would  i-ei)resent  26,000  acre-feet  of  water  placed  in  ground  water 
storage  and  a  remaining  use  of  180,000  acre-feet.  Apparently  the  lower 
ground  water  in  1925  has  resulted  in  a  reduction  of  outward  ground 
water  movement  and  evaporation  from  areas  of  formerly  high  ground 
water  of  about  35,000  aere-feet  so  that  a  smaller  canal  supply  will 
re.'-tilt  in  a  rise  of  the  ground  water  under  the  conditions  of  1925  than 
was  required  in  1})22.  Additional  periods  of  record  .should  be  secured 
before  dependence  is  placed  on  the  numerical  amount  of  the  indicated 
difference.  Tliese  results,  however,  are  sufficient  to  indicate  that  a 
smaller  canal  supply  will  maintain  the  ground  water  under  the  ground 
water  conditions  obtaining  in  1925  than  would  be  required  under  the 
conditions  of  1922.  The  canal  supply  in  1925  less  the  indicated 
accumulation  of  ground  water  storage  was  at  the  rate  of  1.6  acre-feet 
I)ei'  aci'e  of  cropped  area. 

Hydrographs  of  Typical  Wells. 

IIydrogra))hs  of  typical  wells  are  shown  in  Fig.  12.  Well  1 
is  in  ('(>ntei"vilh'  bottoms  near  the  head  of  the  Alta  ('anal.  Very  little 
lowering  has  occun-ed.  Well  30  is  near  Kings  Rivei*,  just  north  of 
Reedle>'.  iia])id  lowei-ing  after  the  end  of  canal  diversion  is  shown. 
Part  of  the  lowering  in  192-1-  Mas  recovered  in  1925.  Well  102  is  six 
miles  south  of  Keedley  and  2  miles  from  Kings  Kiver.  Less  wide  fluctu- 
ations are  shown  than  in  well  30. 

Well  2()  is  5  miles  northeast  of  Reedley  and  away  from  the  river. 
A  lowering  of  18  feet  occui-i'cd  in  1924,  of  which  only  4  feet  was  recov- 
ered in  1925.  Well  93,  2  miles  south  of  Dinuba,  is  in  the  Central  area. 
The  ground  water  prior  to  1924  rose  close  to  the  ground  surface.  Well 
99.  in  the  southeast  ])ai't  of  the  district,  shows  less  effect  from  canal 
delivery  with  about  10  feet  lowering  in  1924. 

Well  150  is  in  the  Button  Canal  area,  near  the  eastern  boundary  of 
the  district.  There  is  little  irrigation  in  this  area  and  little  monthly 
fluctuation  is  shown.  (Jradual  lowering  has  continued  during  the 
period  of  record.  Well  152  in  the  Traver  area  shows  the  effect  of 
canal  delivery  in  1922  and  1923  and  of  its  absence  in  1924  and  1925. 
The  ground  water  rose  to  within  3  feet  of  the  ground  surface  in  1922 
and  1923. 

GROUND  WATER  IN  AREA  UNDER  KINGS  COUNTY  CANALS. 

The  term  Kings  Count.v  (yaiuds  is  generally  used  to  describe  the 
}*eople's  Last  Chance  and  Lemoore  canals,  which  serve  adjacent  areas 
on  the  south  side  of  Kings  River  in  Kings  County.  These  canals  serve 
an  area  having  a  relatively  old  irrigation  development.  Th(»  crops  are 
diversified  and  include  trees,  vines,  alfalfa,  grain  and  pasture.     Much 


74  Department  of  J^uhJic  Works. 

of  the  area  lias  had  a  rolatively  liii-li  water  table  and  a  larger  portion 
of  the  land  is  used  for  pasturage  on  this  aecouiit  than  in  some  of  the 
other  Kings  River  areas. 

Ground  water  records  are  not  as  extensive  under  these  canals  as  for 
the  three  upper  districts.  Some  scattered  records  are  available  for 
earlier  years.  .More  extensive  records  were  begun  in  the  Lemoore  area 
in  1924  and  in  the  Last  Chance  and  People's  Canal  areas  in  1925. 

The  diversions  by  these  canals  are  larger  in  proportion  to  the  area 
irrigated  than  the  practice  on  Kings  River  as  a  whole.  Judged  by  the 
resulting  ground  water  conditions,  the  diversions  have  exceeded 
the  crop  moisture  requirements.  This  has  resulted  in  a  rise  of 
the  ground  Avater  to  the  extent  necessary  for  excess  soil  evapora- 
tion to  balance  the  surplus  sujiply.  Little  outward  movement  of 
ground  water  appears  to  occur  as  the  adjacent  areas  in  the  direction  of 
the  ground  water  slope  as  shown  on  Map  No.  1  do  not  have  available 
shallow  ground  water  supplies.  The  depth  of  ground  water  and  the 
closeness  of  the  material  also  increase  from  the  upper  toward  the  lower 
portions  of  the  area  itself. 

Lemoore  Canal  Area. 

The  Lemoore  Canal  serves  the  most  westerly  part  of  this  area. 
Ground  water  slopes  into  the  Lenioore  area  from  the  Last  Chance  area 
on  the  east.  Some  surface  waste  occurs  at  times  into  the  channels  of 
the  South  P^rk  of  Kings  River  on  the  west,  but  there  is  little  indication 
of  ground  water  moxemeiit  into  such  channels. 

The  ground  water  fluctuations  reflect  the  variations  in  tiie  canal 
supply  as  shown  in  Fig.  18.  The  ground  w'ater  in  the  ditferent  parts 
of  the  area  follows  a  similar  variation;  that  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
area  averages  about  one  foot  lower  than  the  ground  water  in  the  central 
and  northern  i)ortions.  in  some  areas  the  ground  water  rose  to  within 
4  feet  of  the  surface. 

The  divei-sions  in  ^\)2y>  were  9o.0()0  acre-feet.  For  the  gross  area  of 
52, 300  acres  the  diversion  averaged  1.82  acre-feet  per  acre.  This  supply 
resulted  in  a  net  average  rise  of  the  ground  water  of  0.2  foot;  appar- 
ently the  diversions  in  1925  wci-c  adequate  to  supjily  the  crop  needs 
and  any  lo.sscs  by  soil  evaporation  that  may  have  occurred  due  to  Jiigh 
ground  water.  While  all  of  the  gross  area  is  classed  as  irrigated  in  the 
crop  survey  of  this  area,  a  con.siderable  area  of  pasturage  receives  only 
partial  service  and  the  average  use  on  the  remaining  area  would  be  above 
the  figure  given.  Based  on  the  one  year's  records  for  1925  a  diversion 
into  this  area  of  1.8  acre-feet  per  acre  of  gross  area  will  apparently 
supply  crop  needs  and  maintain  the  ground  water  under  exi.sting  con- 
ditions including  the  incomplete  irrigation  of  present  areas  of  pasture. 
A  rate  of  diversion  in  excess  of  crop  needs  would  be  expected  to  result 
in  a  rise  of  the  ground  water  until  the  excess  soil  moisture  evaporation 
balanced  the  excess  in  supply. 

Present  pumping  in  this  area  is  not  as  extensive  as  under  many  other 
Kings  River  canals.  Twenty-three  pumping  plants  Avere  operated  in 
1925,  having  an  average  capacity  of  one  second-foot.  These  wells  are 
u-sually  40  to  100  feet  deep.  One  well,  1517  feet  deep,  had  a  discharge 
of  3.2  second-feet. 


Ground   Wafer  Eesources,  Southern   San   Joaquin  Valley.       75 

Last  Chance  Area. 

Tills  area  lies  bt'tweeii  the  Li'iiioore  and  People's  Canal  area.  The 
irross  an'a  is  ;5;118(>  aeres,  all  of  which  is  classified  as  more  or  less  com- 
pletely irrigated.  The  proportion  of  pasture  is  less  than  that  in  either 
of  the  adjacent  canals. 

Seventy-five  pnmping  plants  are  reported  as  operated  in  1925;  tiie 
larger  part  of  these  were  installed  in  1!)2-1:.  The  wells  are  relatively 
shallow,  varying  usnally  from  40  to  100  feet  in  depth.  The  average 
discharge  is  somewhat  less  than  one  second-foot. 

The  depths  to  ground  water  in  this  area  increase  from  north  to  south. 
The  fluctuations  reflect  the  canal  supply.  Ground  water  slopes  into 
the  area  from  the  People's  Ditch  area  on  the  east  and  out  from  the  area 
to  the  Lemoore  area  on  the  west.    The  ground  water  fluctuates  with  the 

o 

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JAN.     FEB.     MAR.    APR.     MAY    JUN.      JUL.     AUG.     SEP.     OCT.     NOV.     DEC. 


Legend. 


t//Ay/A 


Canal  diversion  in  acre-feet. 

Average  depth  to  ground  water  in  feet 


FIG.    13.    Relation    between    canal    diversions   and    change    In    level    of   ground 
water    in    Lemoore    Irrigation    District,    in    1925. 

canal  deliver\',  as  shown  in  Fig.   14.     In  1925  the  ground  water  rose 
within  4  feet  of  the  surface  in  some  wells. 

For  the  whole  area  the  ground  water  was  1.1  feet  higher  at  the  end 
of  1925  than  at  the  heginiiing.  The  total  diversion  was  63.740  acre-feet, 
or  1.92  acre-feet  per  acre  of  gross  area.  Deducting  the  probable  amount 
of  water  represented  by  the  rise  in  the  ground  water,  the  one  year's 
records  for  1925  indicate  a  use  of  water  by  the  crops  of  1.65  acre-feet 
per  acre  of  gross  area.  Hates  of  diversion  in  excess  of  crop  use  w^ould 
be  expected  to  result  in  a  rise  of  the  ground  water  until  evaporation 
from  the  .soil  balanced  the  excess  supply. 


People's  Ditch  Area. 

The  gross  area  under  this  canal  is  65,600  acres ;  about  40  per  cent 
of  this  area  is  pasturage,  the  remainder  being  a])out  e(iually  divided 
between  orchard  and  vines,  alfalfa  and  grain. 


76 


Department  of  Piihlic  Worls. 


Oronnd  water  rcfords  were  not  be^im  in  tliis  area  until  August,  1925. 
The  depth  to  ground  water  for  the  re::iaiuder  of  1925  varied  froiii  9  to 
11  feet.  As  these  depths  are  greater  than  those  for  tlie  same  months 
in  the  adjacent  Last  Chance  area,  it  is  pro])able  that  the  water  in  the 
People's  Diteh  area  was  also  lower  during  the  summer  months  than  in 
the  Last  Chance  area. 

The  number  of  existing  pumping  plants  in  this  area  is  not  known, 
although  little  development  has  taken  place.  General  conditions  are 
similar  to  those  in  the  atl.jacent  Last  Chance  area  and  shallow  wells 
giving  a  discharge  of  al)out  one  second-foot  should  be  obtained. 


GROUND    WATER    IN    VALLEY    TROUGH    AREAS    ALONG 

CHANNELS  OF  KINGS  RIVER. 


NORTH    SIDE 


Tills  area  includes  the  lands  along  Fresno  Slougli.     It  includes  the 
Stinson,  Crescent,  James  and  Tranquillity  irrigation  districts  and  the 

4 


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IS 

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JAN.      FEB.     MAR.     APR.     MAY     JUN.      JUL.     AUG.     SEP.     OCT.     NOV.     DEC. 


Legend. 


Y//A///\         Canal  diversion  in  acre-feet 
*    '  *         Depth  to  ground  water  in  feet. 

FIG.   14.    Relation  of  canal  diversion  to  change  in   level  of  ground   water   in 
area   served    by    Last    Chance    Canal,    in    1925. 

Cuthl)ert-I^urrell  area.     Pumping  is  practiced  by  both  the  Stinson  and 
James  districts  as  well  as  In-  individuals. 


Cuthbert- Burrell  Area. 

For  the  Cuthbert-liurrell  area,  ground  water  records  for  about  30 
wells  are  available  since  August,  1922. 

The  ground  water  contours  shown  on  ^Fap  No.  1  indicate  that  ground 
water  may  move  into  this  area  from  several  sources.  The  direction 
of  ground  water  slope  from  the  western  part  of  the  Consolidated 
Irrigation  District  is  toward  this  ai-ca.  Water  diverted  by  the  Liberty 
niid    P>ig   Mill    Iv'acc  <'ana]s   iniulil    nl^o   rc;tcb   the  ui'oimd   water  in  tliis 


Ground   Water  Resource.^,  Southern  San  Joaquin   Valley.       77 

area.  Oonoral  irrouiul  water  in  the  ^Furpliy  Slouf;h  area  inehuling  the 
Lai^'ima  and  Ixivcfdalc  In-iiralion  districts  slopes  partially  toward  this 
area. 

In  192.'}  an  average  lowerinu:  of  0.6  foot  oecurred;  in  1924  the  lower- 
ing was  8.25  feet.  In  192.')  the  flow  of  Kings  River  was  ahout  80  per 
cent  of  normal ;  in  1924  ahout  25  per  eent  of  normal.  In  1925  with 
about  70  per  eent  of  normal  run-off  an  average  lowering  of  2.4  feet 
oecurred.  These  amounts  of  lowering  appear  to  he  due  to  the  deficiency 
in  run-off  of  these  seasons. 


Stinson   Irrigation   District. 

This  district  has  6  wells  800  to  1000  feet  deep,  which  were  formerly 
artesian,  and  IH  wells  mainly  500  to  600  feet  deep.  These  are  used 
during  the  portions  of  the  season  when  Kings  River  is  not  available. 
The  district  contains  about  11,000  acres.  The  district  was  organized 
in  1921.  The  artesian  wells  were  drilled  prior  to  organization:  the 
sjiallow  wells  have  been  installed  by  the  district. 

In  1925  the  total  pumping  draft  was  9924  acre-feet.  The  average 
discharge  per  well  for  both  the  deep  and  shallow  wells  was  ahoiit  2 
second-feet. 

Sufficient  records  are  not  as  yet  available  foi-  these  wells  to  enable  an 
estimate  to  be  made  of  the  rate  of  draft  which  they  can  maintain 
without  gronnd  water  de])letion. 

The  cpiality  of  these  waters  has  been  previously  discnssed.  It  is 
desirabl(>  that  other  water  should  also  be  used  on  the  same  lands  in 
order  that  harmful  effects  may  be  avoided. 

Crescent  Irrigation  District. 

This  district  has  not  installed  pumping  plants  as  a  part  of  its  water 
supply.  There  is  only  limited  development  by  individuals  in  this  area. 
One  well  1130  feet  deep  furnishes  a  good  yield.  Ground  water  con- 
ditions appear  to  be  generally  similar  to  those  in  the  Stinson  District. 

James   Irrigation   District. 

This  district  operates  wells  900  to  1200  feet  deep  located  within  the 
district  as  well  as  securing  water  from  Kings  River  and  from  shallow 
v.'ells  to  the  east.  The  deep  wells  are  perforated  below  the  700-foot 
level.  One  well,  1850  feet  deep,  encountered  gas  and  salt  in  the  lower 
portion  in  such  (|uantities  that  240  feet  in  the  bottom  of  the  well  was 
plugged  off.  A  second  well,  4570  feet  deep,  has  been  abandoned  because 
of  the  gas  and  brine  produced. 

Tests  on  a  num])er  of  these  wells  were  made  in  September,  1918. 
The  ])ressure  level  was  from  9  to  10  feet  above  the  ground  surface  and 
si()[)ed  from  the  souHieast  toward  the  northwest,  following  the  general 
direction  of  the  local  drainage.  The  rate  of  slope  averaged  1.1  feet  per 
mile. 

Thirty-four  deep  wells  were  operated  by  the  James  District  in  1921. 
In  other  years  the  number  has  varied  with  the  water  suj^ply  secured 


78  Department  of  Pubiiv   Works. 

from  other  sources  and  the  erop  needs.     The  average  results  for  1921 
to  1924  urc  as  follows: 

Averaf/e  Mean                      Average 

Number  of             discharge  operating                 operating 

loells                   per  well,  lift,  all  wells.         lift  for  J/  wells 

Year                                operated             second-feet  feet  operated  each  season 

X!»21  34  2.08  28.6  19.6 

1922  11  2.08  25.0  23.6 

1923  14  1.89  32.6  30.5 

1924  24  1.54  39.3  37.8 

Two  I'esults  are  shov/n  for  the  averafro  lift.  One  is  tlie  averaii'o  of  all 
wells  observed  in  eiich  season,  the  number  of  records  being  less  than 
the  number  of  plants  operated,  as  the  water  stood  below  the  pump  liowls 
in  sonu'  wells  and  could  not  be  observed.  The  last  column  gives  the 
avcrauc  of  four  wells  observed  in  each  of  the  four  years.  The  total 
draft  in  1924  was  11,80U  acre-feet.  The  four  wells  continuously  read 
show  a  lowering  of  18  feet  in  foui*  years. 

Summary. 

Xearl.\'  all  the  ground  water  development  in  this  area  is  from  deep 
\vells,  shallow  wells  being  used  oidy  in  the  Cuthbert-Burrell  area. 
The  term  deep  well  is  used  for  those  wells  itenetrating  strata  of 
impervious  material  replenished  from  more  distant  sources,  rather  than 
from  streams  oi'  irrigation  adjacent  to  the  well.  Water  in  such  deep  wells 
is  under  pi-essure.  Such  wells  in  this  area  were  artesian  in  the  past 
and  may  How  at  present  in  periods  of  small  draft. 

The  relationship  of  shallow  ground  waters  to  local  conditions  of 
canal  or  stream  supply  is  usually  direct  and  positive,  as  indicated  by 
the  preceding  discussions  for  other  areas.  The  relationship  of  deep 
wells  is  indirect  and  more  difficult  to  trace,  particularly  in  quantitative 
terms.  Ground  water  contours  for  deep  wells  indicate  the  direction  of 
slope.  However,  fluctuations  of  deep  wells  reflect  mainly  changes  in 
pressure  head  rather  than  depth  of  lowering  of  ground  water  and  com- 
parisons of  draft  and  depletion  can  not  be  directly  made. 

Water  from  deep  wells  is  obtainable  generally  on  all  of  this  area  as 
well  as  along  Kings  River  to  the  east.  The  depth  generally  increases 
toward  the  west.  Wells  within  the  Consolidated  District  penetrate 
heavy  clays  and  enter  water-bearing  strata  at  'SOO  to  400  feet,  which 
is  under  pi'e.ssure  and  in  some  cases  formerly  flowed.  Wells  recently 
drilled  west  of  the  Consolidated  District,  near  Cando,  reached  similar 
strata  at  depths  of  about  500  feet.  Wells  formerly  artesian  were 
secured  in  the  Riverdale  area  at  depths  of  from  800  to  1200  feet.  The 
ai'tesian  wells  in  the  James  District  are  from  900  to  1200  feet  in  depth. 

The  details  of  the  valley  formation  even  to  the  depths  penetrated  by 
these  wells  are  not  known.  There  appears  to  be  a  sufficiently  continu- 
(nis  im])ervious  strata  over  mucli  of  this  area  to  retain  the  pressure  of 
the  ground  water  in  the  underlying  sti-ata.  This  impervious  strata  may 
have  been  deposited  when  the  valley  was  sul)merged  and  may  conform 
to  the  topography  of  the  valle\-  at  that  time.  This  suj)i)Osition  might 
account  for  the  less  depth  at  which  such  impervious  strata  are  pene- 
trated nearer  the  eastern  side  of  the  vallev. 


I 


Ground   Water  Resources,  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.       79 

No  outeroi)s  of  tlic  watcr-bearinp:  strata  from  which  such  deep  wells 
draw  liavo  liccn  found  or  rocogni/cd.  It  is  ])rol)al)le  that  they  do  out- 
crop under  more  recent  alluvium  near  the  eastern  side  of  the  valley,  or 
that  the  upper  edges  of  the  im|»ei-vious  strata  have  been  eroded  expos- 
ing  the  underlying  pervious  strata  to  sources  of  absorption.  The  extent 
of  such  absorbing  areas  and  tlie  amounts  absorbed  are  unknown.  There 
is  no  information  to  indicate  any  source  of  absorption  within  the  older 
formations  of  tiie  upper  stream  courses  and  any  water  so  absorbed  must 
apparently  be  obtained  below  the  points  of  measurements  of  the  streams 
and  so  be  accounted  for  in  the  recoi-ds  of  visible  water  supply. 

As  previously  discussed  the  available  data  do  not  indicate  any 
material  outward  ground  water  movement  from  the  area  as  a  whole. 
If  such  deeper  water-bearing  strata  have  no  outlet  and  are  filled  with 
water  under  pressure  no  movement  of  water  through  such  strata  would 
occur  under  natural  conditions.  For  such  conditions  the  static  head 
should  equal  the  elevation  of  the  source  of  supply.  As  the  static  levels 
in  the  deep  wells  have  a  slope  some  movement  is  indicated.  Such 
movement,  however,  is  probably  relatively  small. 

The  natural  conditions  are  changed  when  wells  are  drilled  into  such 
deeper  strata  and  pumping  occurs.  The  discharge  creates  velocities 
toward  the  wells  which  require  a  lowering  of  pressure  to  overcome  the 
friction  of  the  water  movement.  Such  lessening  of  pressure  may  be 
marked  during  pumping  with  quick  recovery  when  pumping  ceases. 
Strata  under  pressure  may  recover  their  static  level  more  (piickly  than 
surface  strata,  where  actual  filling  in  of  the  area  depleted  is  required. 

It  is  more  difficult  to  secure  observations  on  deep  ground  water  than 
on  shallow  sources.  Deep  welLs  are  necessarily  expensive  and  in  conse- 
quence are  operated  more  nearly  continuously.  Idle  wells  for  observa- 
tional use  are  not  usually  available.  Operating  wells  reflect  the 
influence  of  their  own  drawdown  rather  than  static  levels. 

In  the  Kings  River  area  deep  wells  are  relatively  sensitive  to  draft. 
The  stopping  of  flow  in  wells  at  a  distance  of  over  two  miles  when  other 
wells  are  pumped  has  been  observed.  Such  lowering  is  the  result  of 
lessened  pressure  due  to  the  friction  head  required  to  produce  the  dis- 
charge of  the  i)umped  well.  These  conditions  together  with  the  eflfect 
of  the  present  pumping  from  deep  wells  indicate  that  the  amount  of 
draft  obtainable  from  deep  wells  in  this  area  without  excessive  lowering 
is  probably  not  as  large  as  that  obtainable  in  areas  having  favorable 
shallow  ground  water  supplies. 

GROUND   WATER    IN    WEST  SIDE   AREA   FROM   TULARE    LAKE 

TO    MENDOTA. 

This  area  covers  the  portion  of  the  valley  extending  for  about  50 
miles  along  the  west  side  of  the  north  and  south  channels  of  Kings 
River.  The  width  below  the  300-foot  contour  varies  generally  from 
6  to  8  miles,  and  includes  a  gross  area  of  250,000  acres. 

No  canal  service  is  received  within  this  area,  the  canals  on  the  west 
side  of  the  stream  channels  being  within  the  area  classed  as  the  Yalley 
Trough.     Present  development  is  entirely  from  deep  wells. 


80 


Department  of  Public  Works. 


Within  the  IMondota  IrriLiatioii  District  in  the  northern  portion  of 
the  urea  27  wells  supplied  13, ()(>()  acivs  in  IDlM.  These  wells  yield  2  to 
:{  second-feet  each.  Tlie\'  are  l"rom  1200  to  IHOO  feet  deep  and  are  per- 
Icrated  only  heh.w  depths  of  600  to  800  feet.  The  Boston  Land  Co., 
irrigates  ahout  lo.OOO  acres  near  Westhaven.  of  wiiich  ahout  one-half 
is  in  trees  and  vines,  and  onedialf  in  annual  cro])s.  Inclnding  other 
developments,  such  as  those  of  tlu'  Kin.iis  County  Development  Co., 
west  of  Wheatville  and  near  Murray,  the  total  area  now  heing  supplied 
l»y  ])umps  exceeds  80.000  acres  or  ahout  one-eiiihth  of  the  lirass  area. 

It  is  tlifficult  to  secui-e  readings  on  the  ti:round  water,  as  practically 
all  wells  are  operated  nearly  continuously.  No  attempt  has  heen  made 
(»n  Map  No.  1  to  draw  ground  water  contours  for  this  area.  In  Water 
Supply  l*aper  898  general  ground  water  contours  are  shown.  These 
were  hased  on  the  shallow  wells  then  availahle  in  1907  and  show  a  slope 
from  the  west  towai'd  the  east  as  would  he  expected  for  waters  derived 
from  the  west. 

Such  scattered  records  as  are  availahle  indicate  that  the  deep  ground 
water  prohahlx'  had  some  slope  from  the  west  to  the  east,  particnlarly 
in  the  southei-n  portion  of  the  area.  Present  records  indicate  varying 
amounts  of  change.  Cnder  j)uiuping  contlitions,  the  slope  appears  to 
he  from  the  east  to  the  west.  The  availahle  records  do  not  fully  show 
the  amount  of  lowering  that  has  occun-ed.  Such  records  as  are  avail- 
ahle indicate  a  matei-ial  lowering  in  some  j)oitions  of  the  area,  the  low- 
ering heing  larger  in  the  areas  of  heavier  draft. 

The  (luality  of  the  water  in  this  area  has  l)een  discussed  in  Chapter 
II.  The  water  from  shallow  wells  is  not  availahle  in  sufficient  (piantity 
to  furnish  a  good  irrigation  supi)ly  :  hy  perforating  only  the  deeper 
strata  it  is  not  used.  The  quality  of  the  deeper  water  varies.  These 
variations  are  not  regular,  hut  the  water  tends  to  he  hetter  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  area  than  in  the  northern  part. 

The  incompleteness  of  the  availahle  data  makes  any  discussion  of  the 
ground  water  supply  of  this  area  unsatisfactory.  The  large  cost  of 
wells  and  the  uncertainties  of  the  supply,  hoth  as  to  quality  and  quan- 
tity, make  development  in  this  area  hazardous.  With  only  one-eighth 
of  the  gross  area  developed,  lowering  appears  to  he  occurring.  What- 
ever source  of  replenishment  this  ai'ea  may  have  it  is  relatively  distant. 
In  other  area.s  remote  from  sources  of  ground  water  supply,  the  ground 
water  has  been  found  to  he  sensitive  to  heavy  draft.  There  is  no 
reason  to  expect  different  results  in  this  ai'ea.  Development  in  this  area 
should  he  undei'takcTi  only  hy  those  understanding  the  conditions  and 
ahle  to  afford  th(^  I'isks  involve(l. 


GROUND   WATER    IN   TULARE    LAKE   AREA. 

This  area  covers  the  bed  of  Tulare  Lake  and  adjacent  low  areas.  It 
lies  south  of  the  area  under  the  Kings  County  canals  and  Avest  of  the 
outer  Kaweah  and  Tule  areas.  Oii  the  southwest  the  hills  api)roach  the 
lake  area.  The  division  between  this  area  and  the  one  to  the  south  is 
made  at  the  so-called  Sand  Ridge  in  township  24  south.  The  area  of 
the  Corcoran  Irrigation  District  is  included,  although  this  is  only 
partly  within  the  area  of  Tulare  Lake. 


Ground   \Wi((r  licaovrces,  Southern  San   Joaquin   Valley.       81 

Tulare  Lake  receives  tlic  surplus  run-off  of  the  Kern,  Tule  and 
Kaweali  rivers  and  such  portions  of  the  surplus  run-off  of  Kings  River 
as  Hows  south.  The  area  sulimerged  varies  widely.  Hefore  reclamation 
of  Ihe  lake  Ix'd  began,  at  hiuh  water  stages  ahoul  ."iOO  s(juare  miles  were 
suhmerged.  Keclanuition  has  heeu  gradually  extended  by  the  construc- 
tion of  levees  enclosing  additional  ai'cas  until  nearly  all  of  the  lake  bed 
i«  now  more  or  less  completely  reclaimed.  The  last  large  inflow  into  the 
lake  occurred  in  li)16.  The  larger  part  of  the  reclamation  work  has  been 
accomplished  since  that  date. 

The  surface  soil  of  the  lake  bed  is  underlaid  generally  by  a  tight 
clay  which  prevents  percolation  into  or  out  of  the  lake.  The  lake  has 
l)een  dry  in  recent  yeai's.  due  to  the  less  tlian  normal  run-off  that  has 
occurred. 

Over  most  of  this  area,  ground  water  is  obtainable  only  from  deep 
wells.  In  Water  Supply  Paper  398  the  ground  water  conditions  in  the 
eastern  portion  of  the  area  Avere  discussed.  It  was  found  that  water 
from  depths  varying  from  100  feet  near  Corcoran  to  500  feet  about  8 
miles  to  the  west  was  too  highly  alkaline  to  be  suitable  for  use  for  irri- 
gation. Water  from  wells  from  1200  to  1800  feet  deep  near  Corcoran 
was  found  to  be  suitable  for  irrigation.  Deeper  wells  in  the  main  lake 
area  were  not  available  at  the  time  Water  Supply  Paper  398  was 
[)repared 

In  discussing  the  change  in  quality  of  water  from  shallow  wells 
between  the  delta  areas  to  the  east  and  the  lake  area,  a  line  of  division 
was  shown  between  the  areas  in  which  the  two  types  of  water  occur. 
The  line  passed  through  Lemoore,  Corcoran  and  Angiola.  This  has 
come  to  be  known  locally  as  the  '"Mendenhall  fault" — Mr.  W.  C.  Men- 
denhall  being  the  principal  author  of  Water  Suppl.y  Paper  398.  This 
division  was  not  descrilxnl  as  a  fault  in 'the  sense  of  being  a  line  of 
movement  but  was  the  location  of  a  change  in  quality  of  ground  water. 
The  difference  was  explained  as  being  due  to  the  difference  in  the 
nature  of  deposit  of  the  materials,  those  to  the  west  being  lake 
deposits  containing  alkalis,  due  to  the  evaporation  from  the  lake; 
and  those  to  the  east  being  delta  deposits  not  subject  to  such  factors. 
Deeper  water  from  wells  considered  to  come  from  depths  below  those 
resulting  from  lake  conditions  did  not  show  such  differences  in 
quality.  Wells  less  than  500  feet  in  depth  are  regarded  as  shallow 
wells  in  this  area. 

Until  recently  this  shallow  water  has  not  been  used  to  any  extent. 
In  those  areas  in  which  such  water  could  he  secured  its  quality 
frequently  made  its  use  undesirable.  Ground  water  development 
was  by  deeper  wells  u]>  to  2000  feet  in  de))th  from  which  both  the 
quantity  and  (puility  were  much  better.  The  use  of  such  deeper 
puini)ed  water  and  of  some  canal  supi)ly  in  the  Corcoran  District  has 
resulted  in  the  establishment  of  a  new  source  of  supply  for  the  shal- 
low water  table  and  some  I'eccnt  wells  are  now  drawing  on  this 
source.  Such  shallow  wells  are  sui)i)lied  by  the  |)ercolation  lo.sses 
from  other  uses.  The  available  records  do  not  show  the  extent  of 
fluctuation  that  has  occurred  from  the  present  draft  on  these  wells. 
The  amount  of  draft  that  can  be  supported  would  be  expected  to  be 

G— 4707C 


82  Department  of  Public  Works. 

limited  to  the  amount  of  the  percolation  losses  from  other  uses.  As 
the  canal  supply  is  iri'cguiar  and  the  deep  wells  are  used  on  only  a 
portion  of  the  district  area,  the  extent  of  draft  which  can  be  sup- 
ported by  the  shallow  ground  water  can  not  be  expected  to  provide 
a  permanent  sup{)ly  for  a  large  area  of  additional  land.  To  such 
extent  as  the  shallow  supply  can  support  a  pumping  draft  it  repre- 
sents a  desirable  reuse  of  other  sources. 

Deep  wells  have  l)een  used  in  the  area  of  the  Corcoran  Irrigation 
District  for  considerable  periods.  Such  wells  were  formerly  artesian. 
Wells  several  miles  to  the  east  of  this  area  also  Howed  until  recently. 
As  mo.st  of  the  deep  wells  are  operated  nearly  continuously  it  is 
difficult  to  secure  readings  representing  the  standing  level  of  the 
deeper  ground  water.  General  data  indicate  that  the  levels,  while 
pumi)ing,  have  lowered  30  to  50  feet  in  recent  years.  Kecent  develop- 
ment has  been  in  the  northern  and  eastern  portion  of  the  area. 

in  the  northern  portion  of  Tulare  Lake  wells  of  about  1800  feet 
deptli  are  used.  These  wells  arc  usiuilly  perforatf^d  below  600  feet 
depth  and  yield  2  to  3  second-feet.  Such  wells  frequently  contain 
gas.  Analyses  of  Avater  from  four  wells  showed  low  sulphate  content, 
indicating  that  their  source  is  not  irom  west  side  materials.  The 
amount  of  bicarbonate  and  chloride  was  larger  than  desirable. 

Wells  in  the  .southwestern  portion  of  the  lake  have  not  encountered 
water  in  suftieient  amount  for  irrigation.  Wells  are  not  in  use  in  the 
southern  portion.  Some  deep  wells  are  in  use  in  the  southeastern 
part  of  the  area.  The  Alpaugh  Irrigation  District  conveys  its  main 
supply  into  its  district  from  wells  in  the  area  to  the  south. 

Pumping  of  deep  welLs  sontli  of  Corcoran  has  been  practiced 
longer  than  in  other  parts  of  the  area.  Wells  1300  to  2000  feet  in 
depth  are  used  giving  disdiavges  of  about  3  second-feet.  Ground 
water  in  this  area  now  stands  30  to  60  f'^et  ])elow  the  surface  in  some 
wells  which  formerly  flowed  when  not  pumping.  Present  ground 
water  is  from  100  to  120  feet  below  the  ground  while  pumping. 
The  larger  part  of  this  lowering  has  occurred  during  the  last  four 
vears. 


Qround   Vi,'ater  Resources,  Houlhern   San   Joaquin   Valley.       83 


CHAPTER  IV. 

GROUND  WATER  IN  TULARE  COUNTY  AREAS. 

This  area  includes  the  lands  dependent  on  Kaweah  and  Tide  rivers 
and  Deer  and  AVhite  creeks.  It  is  the  same  area  covered  by  Bulletin 
;]  of  the  Division  of  Enj,aneering  and  Irrigation  published  in  1922. 
The  following  discussion  is  based  on  the  data  collected  in  the  prep- 
aration of  Bulletin  3  and  records  that  have  been  secured  since  its 
completion.  The  earlier  observations  include  those  begun  in  1917  by 
the  Lindsay-Strathmore  Irrigation  District  over  most  of  the  Kaweah 
River  area.  These  were  extended  to  cover  the  whole  count}^  by  this 
office  beginning  in  1920.  Later  observations  of  ground  water  over 
the  whole  area  were  made  by  the  Division  of  Engineering  and  Irri- 
gation in  the  fall  of  1922  and  1924.  Arrangements  were  made  with 
^Fr.  C.  H.  Holley  of  Exeter,  California,  for  the  use  of  certain  ground 
water  records  which  he  had  secured  in  the  course  of  his  private 
practice  over  a  large  part  of  the  territory  covered  by  the  Tulare 
County  investigations  of  this  office.  These  observations  began  in 
3  916  and  have  been  continued  to  date,  and  have  been  made  available  for 
use  in  the  preparation  of  this  report.  The  conclusions  stated  in  this 
report  are  based  on  the  author's  study  of  all  of  the  records  available 
to  date  in  this  area.  About  550  welLs  were  included  in  the  earlier 
investigations  and  aliout  800  wells  are  being  measured  by  Mr.  Holley, 
the  records  covering  periods  beginning  in  1917  to  1920  for  different 
parts  of  the  area.  The  available  records  are  considered  to  furnish 
an  adecjuate  basis  on  whicli  to  determine  the  effect  of  pumping  in  this 
area.  The  obligation  of  this  office  to  all  of  those  who  have  assisted 
in  making  available  ground  water  records  is  gratefully  acknowledged. 

Good  yields  are  obtained  from  wells  of  relatively  shallow  depth 
in  almost  all  parts  of  the  Tulare  County  area.  The  depths  are 
greater  in  the  higher  parts  of  the  area  adjacent  to  the  foothills.  As 
shown  by  the  statistics  of  irrigation,  ground  water  development  has 
been  active  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  area.  In  many  instances  the 
ability  to  secure  satisfactory  rates  of  discharge  from  wells  has  been 
accepted  as  an  indication  of  an  extensive  and  permanent  source  of 
supply.  The  ability  to  pump  water  from  underlying  materials 
depends  on  the  coarseness  of  such  materials  and  the  ease  with  which 
they  yield  water.  Sucli  water  may  be  drawn  from  the  accumulations 
of  long  periods  of  time.  A  good  discharge  from  a  Avell  does  not  of 
itself  indicate  any  regular  source  of  supply.  Without  adequate 
sources  of  supply,  heavy  pumping  can  only  result  in  the  gradual 
lowering  of  the  ground  water. 

The  ground  water  conditions  in  the  dilferent  parts  of  Tulare 
County  vary  widclx'  and  a  discussion  of  general  or  average  conditions 
lias  little  value.  The  direction  of  slope  and  elevation  of  the  ground 
water  are  shown  on  Map  No.  1;  the  depth  to  ground  water  on  Map 
No.  2 ;  and  the  lowering  from  1920  to  1925  on  Map  No.  3.  in  the  discus- 
sion the  area  has  been  divided  into  smaller  areas  representing  differ- 
ences in  the  conditions  of  ground  water  use  and  supply.     These  areas 


84  Department  of  Public  Works. 

are  the  same  as  tliose  used  in  Bulletin  3,  the  later  records  enabling  the 
results  of  Bulletin  o  to  be  brought  down  to  date. 

GROUND   WATER    IN    KAWEAH    RIVER   AREAS. 

The  conditions  of  water  supply  and  use  on  the  Kaweah  River  areas 
were  discussed  in  det;iil  in  Bulletin  No.  3,  covering  data  available 
to  the  end  of  3921. 

The  run-olf  of  the  Kaweah  Iliver  at  Three  Rivers  for  the  period 
1890  to  1921  was  estimated  as  an  average  of  438,000  acre-feet  per 
year.     The  run-off  for  each  year  since  1921  has  been  as  follows: 

1921-22 461,000  acre-feet 

1922-23  363,000  acre-feet 

1923-24  102,000  acre-feet 

1924-25  325,000  acre-feet 

The  addition  of  these  four  years  to  the  period  1890  to  1921  results 
in  an  estimated  mean  annual  run-off  for  the  period  1890  to  1925  of 
427,000  acre-feet.  In  addition  there  is  some  rim-off,  estimated  as  an 
average  of  13,000  acre-feet  per  year,  from  the  drainage  area  below 
Three  Rivers,  giving  a  total  mean  annual  run-off  of  440,000  acre-feet. 
Kaweah  River  is  divided  at  ]\IeKay  Point  into  the  St.  Johns  and 
Kaweah  channels.  Divei-sions  are  made  from  both  channels.  Water 
entering  the  Kaweah  Channel  in  excess  of  the  diversions  therefrom 
may  reach  Tulare  Lake  either  through  Cross  Creek  or  by  way  of  Elk 
Bayou  and  Tule  River.  Water  flowing  through  St.  Johns  River 
without  l)eing  diverted  enters  Cross  Creek  and  may  finally  reach 
Tulare  Lake. 

The  records  of  flow  leaving  the  Kaweah  Delta  were  analyzed  in 
Bulletin  3  with  the  conclusion  that  such  outflow  under  existing 
conditions  of  use  would  have  averaged  55,000  acre-feet  for  the  period 
1890  to  1921.  Practically  no  outflow  has  occurred  since  1922.  The 
estimated  mean  annual  outflow  for  the  period  1890  to  1925  becomes 
50,000  aci'e-feet  when  the  years  since  1921  are  included.  Not  all  of 
.such  outflow  would  reach  Tulare  Lake  as  there  are  diversions  on  both 
channels  between  Tulare  Lake  and  what  is  considered  as  the  outer 
edge  of  Kaweah  River  Delta. 

Several  canals  divert  from  both  the  St.  Johns  aiul  the  Kaweah 
channels.  An  analysis  of  tlie  diversion  records  in  Bulletin  3  indi- 
cated a  usual  total  simultaneous  diversion  of  about  1900  second-feet. 
Sustained  lun-off  in  excess  of  this  amount  was  found  to  produce  out- 
flow from  the  delta.  Les,ser  amounts  of  run-off  produce  outflow 
except  in  the  main  sunnner  months. 

The  areas  served  by  tlie  different  canals  are,  in  .some  cases,  over- 
lapping and  it  is  not  i)Ossible  to  separate  the  areas  served  and  the 
ground  water  supply  for  each  oan;d.  The  area  irrigated  varies  in 
different  years  with  the  extent  of  the  stream  flow.  The  usual  area 
found  to  be  irrigated  by  canals  alone  in  1921  was  about  102,000  acres 
with  an  additional  area  of  about  26,000  acres  which  received  some 
canal  irrigation  and  seemed  a  supplemental  supply  by  pumping. 
Similar  data  for  1925  have  not  l)ecn  secured.  There  has  not  been 
mueh  change  in  the  total  area  of  about  128,000  acres  receiving  some 
canal  .service  except  as  the  run-off'  has  varied  in  each  season.     How- 


Ground   Water  liesources,  Southern  San  Joaquin   Valley.       85 

ever,  there  lias  1>ihii  a  material  increase  in  the  proportion  of  this  area 
which  has  been  provided  with  facilities  for  piimpintr  to  supplement 
llie  canal  suj){)ly.  This  increase  in  supplemental  pumjiing  is  the 
result  of  the  small  run-olf  of  recent  years  as  well  as  the  general 
tendency  toward   more  comi>lete  utilization  of  the  land. 

Including  lands  receivint;'  only  pumping  service  it  was  estimated 
that  the  total  area  irrigated  in  1920  wdiich  was  dependent  on  Kaweah 
River  for  its  water  sui)])Iy  was  175,000  acres.  The  increase  in  this 
area  since  1920  has  not  been  large,  although  no  complete  statistics 
are  available. 

Ground  Water. 

Fairly  complete  records  of  the  fluctuations  of  the  ground  water 
on  the  Kaweah  Delta  are  available  since  early  in  1917.  These  records 
cover  all  of  the  delta  except  the  westerly  portions  lying  beyond  the 
areas  served  by  canals.  Records  covering  the  Avesterly  portion  of  the 
area  were  begun  in  1920. 

The  extent  of  the  stream  flow  entering  and  leaving  the  Kaweah 
Delta  has  been  discu.ssed.  The  surface  stream  flow  of  Kaweah  River 
is  considered  to  ])e  the  only  source  of  w^ater  supply  of  material  extent 
now  reaching  this  area.  Similarly  the  surface  outflow  is  considered 
to  be  tlie  only  wMtev  leaving  this  area  of  material  amount.  The  basis 
for  this  latter  conclusion  was  discussed  in  detail  in  Bulletin  3.  The 
ground  water  slopes  in  the  adjacent  Kings  River  areas  indicate  that 
outward  ground  water  movement  from  the  Kaw'eah  River  northward 
under  the  Kings  River  Ridge  does  not  occur  wdthin  the  depths 
reached  by  existing  wells.  The  ground  water  in  the  Kaweah  Delta 
during  the  winter  months  of  minimum  use  was  found  to  rise  by  an 
amount  which  varies  with  the  extent  of  the  winter  stream  flow.  If 
material  outflow  oecui-red,  lowering  of  the  ground  water  would  result 
in  such  months  of  minimum  su])])ly.  The  material  encountered  in 
wells  liecomes  flnei-  ln\v;ii'd  the  oulei'  edges  of  the  delta.  The  finer 
texture  of  the  surface  strata  on  the  western  portion  of  the  delta 
would  limit,  if  not  entirely  prevent,  any  movement  in  these  strata. 
There  have  becm  no  visible  natural  outlets  foi'  ground  w^ater  move- 
ment into  Tulare  Lake  as  the  lake  becomes  dry  in  years  of  deficient 
stream  flow.  All  of  these  factors  combine  to  support  the  conclusion 
that  all  of  the  run-off  of  Kaweah  River  absorbed  within  the  Kaweah 
River  Delta  is  available  for  use  in  the  delta. 

The  Kaweah  River  area  has  been  divided  for  purposes  of  discus- 
sion. The  divisions  are  based  on  conditions  of  use  and  supply.  The 
main  area  of  the  delta  includes  the  area  within  which  canal  service 
is  received,  although  only  a  portion  of  the  total  area  actually  receives 
such  service.  There  are  some  canals  which  divert  from  Kaweah 
River  and  serve  lands  mairdy  above  Venice  Hills.  The  areas  so 
served  are  segregated  from  the  main  canal  area  below  Venice  Hills. 
There  is  also  an  area  considered  to  1h^  a  part  of  the  Kaweah  Delta 
which  does  not  receive  canal  service.  This  is  the  outer  or  western 
pr)rtion  of  the  delta.  The  area  between  the  Lindsay-Strathmore 
lii'igation  Dislrict  and  Klk  Baxon.  whih^  not  originally  a  part  of  the 
Kaweah    Delta.  ,ma\-    now    receive   urouiid    water    from   the   delta,   due 


86  Department  of  J'nhHc  Worhs. 

to  the  lowering'  of  the  wain-  1al)l('  within  the  area  with   a   reversal 
of  the  natural  j^round  water  slope  as  shown  on  Map  No.  1. 

The  general  conditions   for  each  of  these  four  areas  for  1921   are 
as  follows: 

Summary  of  Areas  Irrigated  and  Pumping  Draft  for  Kaweah  River  Areas  in  1921. 

Areas  servctl  onlv  by  canals  are  not   included. 

Total         Averaf/e 
rstiniatrd  draft 

net  draft       in  acre- 
Areas  Irrigated  from      feet,  per  acre. 
Gross             By                 By             ground  For  area     For 
area,      candl  and     pumping       water.        irri-      gross 
Area                                           acres        pumping         only         acre-feet     gated      area 

Main    area    of    Kaweah    Delta 

covered  by  canaLs  diverting  ,     „„„  ,  ^  „  ,- 

forlandsbelow  Venice  Hills   190,000  18,900  37.400  So. 000  1.5  0.4o 

Area  covered  by  canals  divert- 
ing mainly  for  lands  above 

Venice    Hills 60,000  6,900  9,700  27.000  1.6  0.4.) 

Area    of   lower   Kaweab    Delta 

outside  of  areas  covei'd  by 

canals     9.5,000  100  14,900  31,000  2.1  0.30 

Area   west   of   Lindsay-Stratli- 

more       Irrigation       District 

toward  which  ground  water 

slopes     from     the     Kaweah 

Delta     20,000  7,300  19,0fi0  2.6  O.S.'i 

Totals    365,000  25,900  69,300  162,000  1.7  0.45 

The  heaviest  puiiipin,i;'  draft  occurs  in  the  ai'ea  west  of  the  Ijind- 
say-Strathmore  District,  where  the  sources  of  supply  are  the  most 
indir(H*t. 

The  followinji'  tahle  suniiuarj/es  the  average  ground  water  fluctua- 
tions for  each  of  these  areas  for  the  period  covered  hy  the  available 
records.  The  fluctuations  for  the  lower  delta  area  have  been  esti- 
mated for  the  tlrst  three  years  shown: 

Summary  of  Average  Fluctuations  of  Ground  Water,  In  Feet,  in  Kaweah  Delta  Areas 

1917-1925. 

Avcraoc  Fluctuation  for  Period 

Total 
inn-       J91S'       1919-       1920-       1921-       1922-       fU>',-       or 
Area  19  IS  1919         1920  1921  1922         192'i  l»2.'      Mean 

Main  area  nf  Kawi'ali 

Delta     covered     by 
canals         diverting 

for      lands      below  .  .    , 

Venice  Hills- —2.5        —2.1        —0.1        —0.8        -|-1.3        —7.0        —0.6— 11. S 

-Areas      covered      by 

canals       diverting 

for    lands    mainly 

above       Venice  „„_  „„.  ,«,«. 

Hills     —0.9        — 0.9        — 0.2        —0.8        — 0.25     — 6.3o     —1.0  —10.4 

Area     of     lower 

Kaweah      Delta 

outside     of    areas  , un- 

covered by  canals       —3.2        —2.7        —1.3       —1.8        — 0.2o     —3.0        —3..    — li).9.. 
Area    west    of    I>ind- 

s  a  y  -  Slrathmorc 

Irrigation    District 

toward       w  h  i  c  h 

g  r  o  u  n  d      water 

slopes     from     the  „  „„  „„  „,        „.  . 

Kaweah    River-__        —2.2        -2.1        —0.8        —1.3        —0.9        -9.3        -.3.4   -20.0 

Mean    —2.2        — 2.0       —0.4        — 1.0         -|-0.o        —6.0        —1.6  —12.7 

Total        run-off        of 

acre^fe^et  ^-^!!!-   237,000   281,500    377,500    373,500   475,000   232,000   32.5,000   318,000 

Rainfall    at    Visalia,  ,,o<.  c  en        inio        o -?« 

inches     8.07  8.85  9.32  8.56        11.26  6. 89        10.38        8.78 

^^draft,^'Vcr^e"-f2et-^  124,000   133,000   142,000  162,000   170,000   200,000   210,000   168,000 


Ground   Water  Rcsovrces,  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.       87 

The  seasons  used  end  Noveinl)er  1.  The  fluetnations  for  1923  and 
392-1  are  combined,  as  readings  were  not  secured  in  1923.  The  run- 
off, rainfall  and  draft  for  the  two  years  are  the  annual  average  in 
each  case. 

The  figures  presentcMl  in  tlie  preceding  table  represent  the  general 
I'esults  since  1917,  hut  of  themselves  alone  furnish  little  basis  for 
conclusions  regarding  the  relative  draft  and  supply.  The  entire 
period  of  eight  years  contains  but  one  year.  1922,  in  which  the  run- 
off equalled  the  mean  and  this  year  only  exceeded  the  mean  by  less 
than  10  per  cent.  The  grouiid  water  depletion  that  has  occurred 
varied  in  the  four  diffeivnt  parts  of  the  area  as  well  a.s  within  the 
areas  themselves. 

For  the  eight  years  the  ground  water  for  the  whole  Kaweah  Delta 
has  averaged  to  lower  1.6  feet  per  year.  The  average  run-off  retained 
in  the  delta  for  the  same  period  has  been  78,000  acre-feet  per  year 
below  the  normal.  The  average  lowering  per  year  over  the  gross 
area  of  365,000  acres  would  represent  a  depletion  of  77,000  acre-feet 
per  year  of  ground  water  storage  if  an  average  drainage  factor  of 
12.5  per  cent  is  assumed. 

For  1925  a  shortage  in  the  supply  retained  within  the  delta  of 
65.000  acre-feet  resulted  in  an  average  lowering  of  1.6  feet.  This 
lowering  with  a  12.5  i)er  cent  drainage  factor  represents  73,000 
acre-feet  for  the  gross  area  considered.  This  indicates  that  for  the 
area  as  a  whole  the  average  water  supply  retained  will  about  support 
the  present  acreage.  The  increase  in  pumping  plants  in  recent 
years  has  been  largely  for  supplemental  pumping  on  lands  receiving 
canal  irrigation.  Dnt  to  the  lowering  of  the  ground  water  natural 
subirrigation  no  lunger  occurs  and  artificial  subirrigation  or  pump- 
ing is  now  required.  Sucli  pumpi)ig  has  not  increased  the  actual 
draft  on  the  gdoimd  water  as  comjiared  with  past  use  with  high 
water  table,  to  the  same  extent  as  pumping  for  new  areas  would 
increase  the  draft. 

The  areas  within  which  the  ground  water  rose  in  1922  and  1925 
are  shown  on  Map  No.  3.  Any  area  showing  a  rise  in  1925  would  be 
expected  to  fully  maintain  its  ground  water  during  a  series  of 
normal  years.  The  ai'ca  showing  a  rise  in  1922  would  also  be 
expected  to  similarly  nuiintain  its  ground  water  except  for  the 
marginal  parts  of  the  ^rea. 

The  conclusion  would  appear  justified  that  with  average  run-oft' 
in  the  Kaweah  River  the  Avater  supply  will  support  the  existing 
development  if  it  can  be  distributed  so  as  to  reach  all  parts  of  the 
area.  Any  material  increase  in  area  will  be  expected  to  result  in  a 
deficiency  in  supi)ly  even  in  a  period  of  normal  years  with  resulting 
gradual  ground  water  lowering.  This  statement  concerning  average 
conditions  should  not  be  interpreted  to  mean  that  the  ground  water 
will  be  maintained  in  all  parts  of  the  delta  with  present  development 
and  noi-mal  run-off,  as  the  present  distribution  of  use  is  such  that 
many  parts  of  the  area  do  not  receive  the  supply  needed  locally  even 
in  normal  years.  The  occurrence  of  a  series  of  normal  years  can  be 
exjxcted  1o  restore  the  ground  water  within  the  area  receiving  direct 
canal  service.  Sucli  areas  would  be  expected  to  recover  the  full  low- 
(  ring  of  the  ])a.st  eight  years  Avith  resulting  conditions  of  high  water 


88  Department  of  Public  Works. 

table  before  reeoNeiy  is  shown  in  the  outer  oJ'  more  heavily  pumped 
areas.  Such  local  conditions  can  best  be  discussed  by  individual 
areas. 

The  results  in  the  Kaweah  Delta  appear  to  furnish  an  answer  to 
the  question  of  whether  greater  or  k^ss  lowering  of  the  ground  water 
will  occur  at  the  outer  edges  of  a  delta  than  near  its  apex  under  con- 
ditions of  pumping  di'aft  which  exceed  the  supply.  The  ground 
water  in  a  delta  occurs  on  a  slope  from  the  apex  toward  the  outer 
edges.  The  argument  has  been  made  that  with  heavy  pumping 
resulting  in  ground  water  depletion,  the  ground  water  would  be 
drained  out  from  the  apex  more  rapidly  than  from  the  edges  so  that 
there  would  be  les«  lowering  in  the  outer  areas.  This  argument  does 
not  find  support  in  the  Kaweali  Delta  records.  The  maximum  low- 
ering has  occurred  in  those  areas  near  the  outer  and  lower  edges  of 
the  delta  wherever  heavy  pumping  has  been  practiced  with  little  local 
canal  service  while  areas  near  the  upper  portion  of  the  delta  where 
replenishment  occurs  by  percolation  from  the  stream  channel  and 
canal  use  have  shown  only  a  small  lowering. 

MAIN    AREA    OF    KAWEAH    DELTA    COVERED    BY    CANALS    DIVERTING 
FOR   LANDS  BELOW  VENICE   HILLS. 

This  area  represents  about  one-half  of  the  gross  area  of  the 
Kaweaii  Delta.  It  includes  nearly  all  of  the  areas  receiving  canal 
service  and  over  half  of  the  area  receiving  pumping  supplies.  Due 
to  the  distribution  of  the  diversions  from  the  KawH>ah  River  over  this 
area,  it  shows  a  mort^  (piick  recovery  of  its  ground  water  than  areas 
not  so  supplied.  Within  the  area  the  relative  proportions  irrigated 
l)y  canals  and  by  pumping  varies  so  tiiat  differences  in  the  response 
to  the  stream  flow  are  quite  marked.  Increase  in  pumping  since  1921 
has  been  mainly  to  supplement  canal  use  rather  than  as  an  entire 
source  of  suj)p]v.  The  number  of  plants  increased  20  per  cent  from 
1924  to  1925. 

Map  No.  8  shows  the  total  ground  water  lowering  that  has  occurred 
from  1920  to  1925.  Occasional  areas  having  favorable  priority  of 
canal  rights  and  receiving  good  supplies  even  in  dry  years,  show  no 
lowering  even  during  this  period  of  less  than  normal  run-oft'.  In 
general  the  line  of  five-foot  lowering  encloses  the  areas  receiving 
canal  service  of  regular  character  Pumping  in  such  areas  is  less 
extensively  developed  and  canal  use  more  nearly  meets  crop  needs. 
Any  portion  of  the  Kaweah  Delta  which  has  not  lowered  more  than 
5  feet  during  the  past  5  years  of  below  nornud  run-oft'  would  be 
expected  to  fully  maintain  its  ground  water  under  existing  con- 
ditions of  development  in  years  of  normal  supply. 

The  lines  of  10  feet  or  larger  lowering  of  the  ground  water  during 
tiiis  period  represents  the  outer  portions  of  the  area  where  a  small 
percentage  of  the  gross  area  receives  canal  service,  or  where  the  late 
priority  of  the  canal  results  in  wider  variations  in  the  supplies 
I'eceived  in  dift'erent  years.  The  diversions  of  such  canals  as  the 
I'ackwood  and  Tulare  Irrigation  District  tiuctuate  widely  in  differ- 
ent years.  Deficiencies  in  canal  supplies  are  overcome  by  larger 
amounts  of  piunping.     Wide  fluctuations  of  the  ground  water  in  such 


Qround   Wafer   Ersfnircm.   S^ottfJur)}    San   Joaquin   Valley.       89 

areas  are  to  be  expected.  Lowering:  in  years  of  ])elo\v  normal  run-off 
may  not  indicate  an  overdraft  if  it  is  balanced  ii.\'  the  rise  in  the 
years  of  above  normal  run-off. 

There  has  only  l)een  one  year  of  normal  sui)i)ly  in  the  period  1920 
to  1925.  In  1922  the  ground  water  rose  over  practically  this  entire 
area,  the  ris^e  being  as  large  as  6  feet  in  the  area  of  largest  previous 
lowering  near  Tulare.  p]ven  with  this  gain  in  1922.  the  total  change 
for  tlie  past  5  years  in  this  local  area  has  been  a  lowering  of  15  to 
20  feet.  The  supply  in  1922  was  less  than  10  per  cent  above  normal 
for  the  whole  river;  the  diversions  of  the  Tulare  Irrigation  District 
exceeded  its  average  by  more  than  this  amount,  however.  The  diver- 
sions by  the  Tulare  District  in  1922  were  larger  than  the  total  diver- 
sions for  the  three  years  1928  to  1925. 

Ilydrographs  of  typical  wells  are  shown  in  Fig.  15.  Well  L-2  is 
located  about  4  miles  east  of  Yisalia  along  upper  Deep  Creek  in  an 
area  which  receives  adequate  canal  service.  The  ground  water  in 
1925  was  as  high  as  in  1921.  A  quick  response  to  the  divereion  of 
water  into  Deep  Creek  and  adjacent  canals  is  shown.  The  ground 
water  is  fully  maintained  in  this  area  under  existing  conditions.  In 
years  of  more  than  normal  run-off  the  ground  water  may  rise  suffi- 
ciently close  to  the  surface  to  cause  injury. 

Wells  M-22  and  M-IG  show  the  contrast  between  areas  receiving 
regular  canal  service  and  those  receiving  service  only  in  years  of 
large  run-oft'.  Well  ]\r-22  is  located  3  miles  east  of  Tulare  in  an  area 
served  by  the  Farmers  Ditcli.  The  run-oft'  in  1922  which  was  only  about 
10  per  cent  above  normal  nearly  restored  the  accumulated  lowering 
from  1917  to  1921.  The  ground  water  held  its  elevation  in  1925.  In 
this  area  no  lowering  of  the  ground  water  over  a  series  of  years  is 
to  be  anticipated  under  a  continuation  of  present  conditions.  Well 
M-16  is  located  four  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Well  ]\I-22,  in  the 
I)umping  area  west  of  Tulare.  Lowering  is  shown  in  all  years  except 
1922.  In  1922  the  Tulare  Irrigation  District  secured  sufficient  diver- 
sion for  the  irrigation  of  some  lands  in  tins  vicinity.  The  lowering 
of  1920  and  1921  was  more  than  recovered  in  1922.  The  lack  of 
canal  supply  and  the  heavy  pumpinir  resulting  in  a  lowering  of  about 
20  feet  in  the  3  years  froln  1922  to  1925.  Well  ]\I-16  illustrates  the 
dependence  of  the  ground  water  on  direct  local  supplies.  The  ground 
water  less  than  5  miles  to  the  east,  as  illustrated  l)y  Well  M-22  has 
shown  a  total  lowering  of  only  8  feet  from  1922  to  1925,  during 
which  the  run-oft'  of  Kaweah  Kiver  has  averaged  only  60  per  cent  of 
normal.  The  supply  received  around  Well  ^1-22  has  not  enabled 
Well  M-16  to  maintain  its  level.  AVell  i\I-16  is  only  maintained 
when  canal  water  is  brought  into  its  own  area.  The  future  fluctua- 
tions of  Well  ]\I-16  will  depend  on  the  amount  of  canal  water  that 
may  be  diverted  into  its  vicinity. 

Well  N-11  is  about  7  miles  west  of  Tulare,  near  the  end  of  Pack- 
wood  Creek  and  at  the  west  edge  of  most  of  the  pumping  in  this 
vicinity.  The  ground  water  held  its  own  in  1922.  In  other  years  it 
lowered.  A  larger  lowering  occui-red  in  1925  in  proportion  to  the 
run-oft'  in  Kaweah  Kiver  than  in  j)revious  years.  This  reflects  the 
greater  tendency  to  lower  in  this  area  with  the  increased  draft  of 
recent  years.     The  canal  diversions  into  this  area  are  limited  and  it 


m 


Department  of  Public  Works. 


WELL  L-2.    Along  upper  Deep  Creek. 


WELL  N-n.     Near  end  ol  Packwood  Creek. 


20 
25 
30 
35 
40 


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WELL  M-22.    Three  miles  east  ol  Tulare, 


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WELL  M-16.     One  nfiile  west  of  Tulare. 


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WELL  E-36.     Along  Packwood  Creek. 


WELL  L-17.     Under  Farmers  Ditch. 


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20 
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LEGEND. 


1917— e- 
1918-'- 
1919  — o- 


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■»—  1921  — o- 
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FIG.  15.   Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  in  main  area  of   Kaweah   Delta. 


Ground   Water  Resources,  Southern   San  Joaquin   Valley.       01 

iiot'S  iiol  appi'iU'  prohal)!*'  that  tlitn-  will  be  sufficient  cvcii  in  a  series 
of  years  of  average  run-off  to  maintain  the  trronnd  water  under  the 
existing:  draft. 

Well  p]-8()  is  also  alon^'  Packwood  Ci-eek.  it  is  near  the  Southern 
Paeitic  Railroad  between  Tulare  and  (loshen  and  at  the  general 
division  between  the  areas  receiving  canal  service  and  those  depend- 
ing mainly  on  pumping.  The  ground  water  rose  in  1921  and  1922, 
but  ha.s  lowered  in  all  other  years.  The  total  lowering  from  1920  to 
1925  was  10  feet  as  compared  to  17  feet  in  Well  N-11.  This  again 
illustrates  the  helpful  effect  of  adjacent  canal  irrigation,  as  the 
pumping  draft  just  we.st  of  Well  E-36  is  heavier  than  that  around 
AVell  N-n. 

Well  L-n  is  4  miles  east  of  Tulare  and  2  miles  east  of  Well  M-22 
and  is  Avithin  the  canal  irrigated  area.  It  also  illustrates  the  effect 
of  canal  service.  No  canal  water  reached  the  vicinity  of  this  well  in 
1924,  and  a  continual  lowering  occurred.  In  1925  the  canal  flow 
resulted  in  a  rise  of  over  10  feet  during  the  period  of  canal  use  and 
a  net  rise  for  the  year  of  about  2  feet. 

The  records  for  the  entire  area  of  the  Tulare  Irrigation  District 
show  the  following  comjiarison  between  the  diA'ersions  by  the  district 
and  tlie  gi'ound  water  fluctuations: 

'J'otdl  (livir.sioit.s  in  Arcrdtir  fliirtiifltion  of 

Season  acre- feet  (jrontid  wfiler  in  feet 

i;»-'0_21  28,600  — 1.0 

1021-22  59,600  +2.4 

l!)22-23 31,100  — 2.6 

1923-24  700  — 7.4 

1924-2.5  20,000  — 4.65 

The  diversion  in  1922  was  sufficient  to  result  in  an  aA'^erage  rise 
over  the  entire  district  of  2.4  feet.  Alore  lowering  occurred  in  1923 
than  in  1921  with  a  slightly  larger  diversion  in  the  latter  year.  This 
l>robably  reflects  the  effect  of  th(»  increase  in  draft.  Of  the  total 
diversions  only  part  reaches  the  lands  within  the  district,  the  con- 
veyance losses  being  heavy.  Apparently  an  annual  diversion  of 
about  45,000  acre-feet  is  needed  to  maintain  the  ground  water  Avithin 
this  district.  Improvements  in  conveyance  will  reduce  the  diversion 
required. 

The  records  seem  to  justify  the  conclusion  that  in  years  of  normal 
or  above  normal  run-off",  present  development  will  not  result  in  a 
ground  water  depletion  for  the  main  area  of  the  Kaweah  Delta  cov- 
ered by  canals  diverting  for  lands  below  Venice  Hills  as  a  whole. 
The  average  rise  in  the  ground  water  in  1922  within  this  area  of  1.3 
feet  will  about  account  for  the  excess  supply  of  that  year.  In  normal 
years  the  ground  water  in  the  ai-eas  undei-  the  canals  having  earlier 
rights  will  rise  and  in  a  series  of  wet  yeai's  will  pro})ably  again 
approach  nearer  to  the  surface  than  may  be  desirable.  For  the  outer 
areas,  the  extent  to  which  the  ground  water  may  reeover  losses  in 
dry  years  by  the  gains  in  wet  years  will  depend  on  the  extent  to 
M'hich  actual  diversion  into  such  areas  occurs.  The  whole  showing 
of  the  ground  water  records  in  this  area  emphasizes  the  necessity 
for  bringing  surface  supplies  into  each  part  of  the  area  if  the  ground 
water  is  to  be  maintained.  The  sup])()rt  of  the  ground  water  in  all 
n.arginal  portions  of  this  area  depends  on  the  diversions  into  such 


92  Department  of  Public  Works. 

areas  rather  than  the  filling  of  the  delta  as  a  whole.  The  ground 
water  may  rise  in  the  npper  portions  of  the  delta  until  drainage  is 
needed  without  causing  a  rise  in  the  outi-r  ai'eas  not  receiving  canal 
supplies. 

Only  55  per  cent  of  the  gross  acreage  in  the  main  Kaweah  area  is 
now  irrigated.  The  preceding  conclusions  api)ly  only  for  this  extent 
of  development.  If  all  or  any  considerable  part  of  the  remaining 
85,000  acres  not  irrigated  should  be  placed  under  irrigation  the 
present  relations  of  the  supply  and  draft  would  be  changed  and  the 
conclusions  stated  would  no  longer  apply. 

AREAS   COVERED    BY   CANALS    DIVERTING    FOR    LANDS    MAINLY 

ABOVE  VENICE   HILLS. 

The  area  considered  under  this  heading  is  shown  on  Map  No.  1.  The 
division  lines  are  not  definite,  but  the  area  includes  the  lands  whose 
ground  water  appears  to  be  derived  from  the  Kaweah  River  above 
Venice  HilLs  or  from  canals  diverting  from  the  upper  portions,  of 
the  river. 

Near  botli  the  St.  Johns  and  Kaweah  channels  some  areas  are  sub- 
iri'igatcd.  Little  pumping  for  local  use  is  practiced  on  these  lower 
laiuls.  The  pumping  plants  of  tlu'  Lindsay-Strathmore  Irrigation 
District  are  located  in  this  area;  the  water  ]iu!nped  is  used  within  the 
district  near  Lindsay  and  Strathmorc. 

For  the  M'hole  area,  the  area  receiving  pump  service  increased 
25  per  cent  from  1921  to  1924.  The  number  of  pumping  plants 
increased  10  per  cent  from  1924  to  1925. 

The  ground  water  contours  on  .Mnp  No.  1  show  a  slope  of  the  ground 
water  into  the  nortliem  })art  of  this  area  from  above  Venice  Hills 
between  Ihe  hills  and  Cottonwood  Creek.  For  the  four  years,  1917  to 
1921,  an  average  lowering  of  'A.6  feet  occurred.  A  lowering  of  from 
1  to  4  feet  occurred  in  1922  and  ;5  to  5  feet  from  1922  to  1924. 
Kecords  for  1925  in  tliis  area  ai-e  less  complete.  A  lowering  of  over 
10  feet  from  1920  to  1925  has  occurred  in  parts  of  this  area.  The 
present  draft  appears  to  exceed  tlu*  supi)ly  now  reaching  this  portion 
of  the  area  and  continued  lowering  is  to  he  anticipated. 

Well  li-54.  Fig.  16.  is  north  of  tlie  main  Kaweah  Delta  in  an  area 
of  scattered  pumping.  A  continued  gradual  lowering  is  shown.  No 
gain  was  shown  in  1922.  Tliis  well  appears  to  be  located  sufficiently 
far  away  from  streams  or  canals  so  that  it  is  but  slightly  affected  by 
the  character  of  the  season.  The  slower  rate  of  lowering  appears  to 
be  due  to  the  small  draft  in  its  vicinity  rather  than  to  a  dependable 
ground  water  supply. 

On  the  south  side  of  the  river  the  larger  pumping  area  is  in  the 
soutlieastern  part  of  township  IS  south,  range  25  ea.st.  Some  irriga- 
tion from  c?inals  is  i-eceiveil.  Yukohl  (*reek  also  crosses  the  area. 
From  1917  to  1921  an  average  lowering  of  13  feet  occurred  under 
an  area  of  3000  acres  of  the  heavier  pumping.  The  drop  in  1921  for 
tlie  same  area  averaged  nearly  4  feet.  From  1920  to  1925  a  total 
lowering  of  about  15  feet  occurred.  Tlie  development  is  relatively 
complete  in  this  area,  2460  acres  of  the  gro.ss  area  of  3000  acres  being 


Ground   Water  Resources,  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.       93 

irrisratod  in  1921.     Tlio  present  rate  of  draft  exceeds  present  sources 
of  sujjply  and  continued  loweiing  is  to  be  anticipated. 

AREA  WEST  OF  LI  NDSAY-STRATH  MORE  IRRIGATION  DISTRICT 
TOWARD  WHICH  GROUND  WATER  SLOPES  FROM  THE  KAWEAH 
DELTA. 

This  area  covers  the  portion  of  the  cone  of  depression  brought 
about  by  local  pumping  which  lias  a  slope  from  the  Kaweah  Delta 
as  shown  on  INIap  No.  1.  The  portion  sloping  from  the  Tule  River  areas 
has  been  separately  discussed.  The  area  in  the  Lindsay-Strathmore 
District  is  not  included. 

The  present  direction  of  tiic  ground  water  slope  as  shown  on  Map 
No.  1  in  this  area  is  the  reverse  of  that  existing  prior  to  pumping.  The 
pumping  has  resulted  in  such  extensive  lowering  that  the  ground 
water  slopes  into  the  area  from  all  directions. 

Prom  1920  to  1925  the  average  lowering  has  ])een  20  feet.  There 
has  been  a  relatively  small  increase  in  the  development  during  this 
period.  Lowering  has  occurred  in  all  years.  The  pumping  occurs 
mainly  in  the  northern  end  near  Exeter  and  in  the  southern  portion 
west  of  Lindsay.  The  northern  portion  is  nearer  areas  using  Kaweah 
Ixiver  water  and  the  lowering  has  not  been  as  large  as  in  the  southern 
portion. 

Well  K-8,  Fig.  16.  is  located  between  the  two  main  areas  of  pump- 
ing at  the  north  and  at  the  soutli  ends  of  this  area.  Continual  lowering 
is  shown,  amounting  to  11  feet  from  1920  to  1925.  This  is  a  less  amount 
of  lowering  than  that  in  the  areas  of  heavier  pumping  to  the  north  or 
to  the  south.  Well  K-8  is  about  3  miles  east  of  Outside  Creek.  The 
ground  water  held  its  level  in  1922. 

Well  R-28  is  Avithin  the  Lindsay-Strathmore  Irrigation  District. 
Its  fluctuation  reflects  the  history  of  the  water  siipply  of  this  area. 
Pumping  occurred  in  1917  with  a  resulting  heavy  lowering.  The  use 
of  district  water  in  1918,  1919,  and  1920  resulted  in  a  recovery  of 
nearly  all  the  lowering  in  1917.  Further  pumping  since  1920  has 
resulted  in  a  total  lowering  of  about  40  feet.  This  well  illustrates  the 
inability  of  the  local  ground  water  to  support  pumping  draft. 

For  the  Avhole  area,  from  November  1  to  February  1,  of  the  seasons 
1917  to  1921,  the  ground  water  rose  an  average  of  about  3  feet,  or  at 
the  rate  of  1  foot  per  mouth.  This  rise  appears  to  be  larger  than  that 
for  the  remainder  of  the  year,  as  rates  of  draft  of  1  acre-foot  per  acre 
of  gross  area  have  resulted  in  lowering  of  2  feet  per  year. 

The  total  lowering  to  date  exceeds  80  feet  in  some  parts  of  this  area. 
The  gi'eatest  lowering  has  occnri'ed  within  five  miles  of  areas  along 
Outsidt»  Creek  that  have  lowered  less  than  5  feet  in  the  deficient  years 
from  1!)21  to  1925.  Even  with  this  excessive  lowering  ground  water 
movements  do  not  appear  to  have  been  established  which  will  supply 
the  jircsent  draft.  The  average  lowering  in  1925  was  greater  than  that 
ill  ciliicr  1!»18  or  1919,  although  the  stream  flow  was  larger  in  1925  than 
in  cilher  1918  or  1919.  The  more  rapid  lowering  in  recent  years  may 
lie  partially  the  result  of  resuming  pumjiing  fi'om  wells  in  the  Lindsay- 
St i-athmoif  Oisti'ict  to  the  east,  wliicli  were  not  operated  in  1917  and 
19  IS. 


D4 


Department  of  Public  Works. 


WELL  B-54. 
North  of  canal  area  in  scattered  pumping. 


WELL  0-3. 
In  pumping  area  ttiree  miles  southwest  of  Goshen. 


20 

25 
30 
35 
40 


• 

QO' 

} 

..J92I. 

.- 

— 

m 

L». 

I2i^ 

«> 

^-*. 

192i 



♦■> 

"^ 

..    192'' 

>♦ 

■^ 

J925__ 

♦ 

WELL  K-8.     Tliree  miles  south  of  Exeter. 


C 


WELL  D-10. 
Near  Cross  Creek  away  from  canals  and  pumps. 


10 

15  tl?25^ 
20 


1921 


T954 


92? 


WELL  N-21.     Formerly  artesian. 


WELL  R-23.     Two  miles  southeast  of  Lindsay. 


z      CD     oc     cc     >     z     ^     CJ     a-'     !-■      >     d 


<      2 


-,     r>     3     u     o     o     _ 

z;       -.       <       1/3       O       Z       Q 


5 

10 
15 
20 
25 
30 


o^ 

\ 

•1 

922 

\ 

\ 

o 

■"X 

^ 

_ 

192 

L 
1 

•1 

924 

192 

) 

WELL  0-10.     Two  miles  east  of  Corcoran. 


z     CO     c      oc 


z     -J     o     ft-     t-     >    o 


<iu<a-^D3DiJOOi»i 


<      2 


<      Ifl      O       z      o 


LEGEND. 


1917^ ?——«-.     1920— + ♦—        1924  — A ^•— 

1918  —  6 '•—     1921- —  ^—         1925-+ -• 

1919—0 o-      1922-1 1-         1926. 

FIG.    16.    Hydrographs  of  typical   wells   in    outer   areas   of    Kaweah    Delta. 


1.3 

.y 

2.9 

3.2 

.6 

6.5 

1.7 

1.0 

3.5 

Ground   Water  Resources,  Bmithern  San  Joaquin  Valley.       95 

The  records  available  in  this  area  indicate  that  no  practicable  extent 
of  loAvering  can  be  expected  to  result  in  sufficient  ground  water  move- 
ment into  the  area  to  maintain  the  ground  water.  Present  draft 
appears  to  exceed  the  ground  water  supply  and  continued  lowering 
can  only  be  expected  under  present  conditions. 


GROUND  WATER  IN  AREA  OF  LOWER  KAWEAH  DELTA  OUTSIDE  OF 

AREAS  COVERED  BY  CANALS. 

This  area  is  a  part  of  the  general  Kaweah  Delta  in  that  both  the 
ground  water  and  the  ground  surface  slopes  continue  into  the  area 
from  the  main  delta.  There  is  no  direct  irrigation  within  the  area, 
except  for  a  small  area  near  Crass  Creek.  The  pumping  development 
is  scattered;  in  1921  only  about  15  per  cent  of  the  gross  area  was 
irrigated.  The  area  increased  slowly  until  1925  when  a  number  of 
new  wells  were  placed  in  operation,  particularly  in  the  southern  part 
of  the  area. 

The  lowering  in  this  area  appears  to  be  proportional  to  the  draft, 
in  the  different  parts  of  this  area,  as  shown  by  the  following  table : 

Average  pumping 

draft  in  acre-feet  Average  lowering  of  ground  water 

per  acre  of  gross  in  feet 

Toionship  and  range  area  in  1921  1921  1922  1925 

T.    18    S.,    R.    23    E 0.5  1.2  .4  1.9 

'1".    19    S.,    R.    23   E._ 0.5 

T.    20    S.,    R.    23    E 0.9 

T.    21    S.,    R.    23    E.__ 0.2 

-In  T.  20,  is.,  R.  23  E.,  in  1921  and  in  1925  larger  lowering  occurred 
than  in  the  otlier  areas.  In  1922  an  area  of  rice  irrigated  in  1921  was 
not  irrigated.  The  increase  in  pumping  in  3925  is  reflected  in  the 
ground  water.  T.  21  S.,  R.  23  E.,  with  a  small  draft  in  1921  lowered 
more  than  the  two  northern  townships.  The  distance  from  streams  or 
canals  is  greater  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  area  and  greater  sensi- 
tiveness to  draft  is  to  be  expected. 

Lowering  occurred  over  this  entire  area  in  1922  except  for  small 
areas  adjacent  to  the  main  delta  area.  A  lowering  of  from  1  to  10  feet 
occurred  generally  in  1925,  the  largest  lowering  occurring  in  areas 
of  heaviest  draft. 

Well  D-3,  Fig.  IG,  is  located  in  an  area  of  considerable  pumping 
southwest  of  Goshen.  Canal  service  of  irregular  character  is  received 
by  lands  al)out  1  mile  east  of  this  well.  liittle  change  occurred  from 
1920  to  1922,  but  rapid  lowering  has  occurred  since  1922.  The  lowering 
in  1925  was  much  larger  in  comparison  with  that  from  1920  to  1922 
than  can  l)e  accounted  for  by  the.  difference  in  stream  flow  and  indi- 
cates the  effect  of  the  increase  in  the  rate  of  pumping  since  1922.  Con- 
tinued lowering  with  present  draft  even  in  years  of  normal  run-off  is 
to  be  expected  in  this  well. 

"Well  D-10  is  near  Cross  Creek  and  west  of  the  areas  irrigated  by 
pumping.  Very  little  fluctuation  is  shown.  This  well  is  not  materially 
affected  by  either  draft  or  supply.  Pumping  draft  3  or  -1  miles  away 
has  not  caused  much  lowering.  Flow  in  Cross  (Jreek  does  not  cause 
any  nuiterial  rise.  This  area  would  not  appear  to  offer  promise  of 
al»ili1y  to  supply  any  large  rate  of  draft. 


f)6  Department  of  Public  Works. 

WoU  N-Jl  vvjis  foniierly  arti'siaii.  In  ]!)()8  it  discharp:ed  sufficient 
water  to  ii'rijiatc  ci'ops  and  also  opirated  a  hydi'aulic  ram  for  punip- 
iiiu'  into  a  lanU.  It  has  been  lowci-inu'  rapidly  in  recent  years.  The 
rate  of  lowering  appears  to  l)e  inci-easinti.  As  this  well  refleet.s  varia- 
tions ill  |)ressnre,  its  loweriii.u'  may  bo  caused  by  draft  cither  to  the 
east  or  to  llie  west,  it  illustrates  tlie  similar  effect  on  deep  wells  as 
on  shallow  ones  of  tli(>  increase  in  the  use  of  ground  -svater  in  recent 
years. 

Well  O-IO  is  a  shallow  well  2  miles  east  of  Corcoran.  Little  fluctua- 
tion occurred  from  1920  to  1922.  Some  increase  in  the  rate  of  lower- 
ing' is  shown  since  1922.  Shallow  wells  have  not  been  used  very 
largely  for  irrigation  in  this  area,  although  some  use  is  now  being 
made  of  such  wells  to  the  west. 

With  the  increase  in  development  since  1922,  the  recurrence  of 
years  of  normal  run-off  will  be  expected  to  result  in  lowering  over 
this  entire  area.  Only  continued  lowering  can  be  anticipated  in  this 
area  as  its  distance  from  direct  sources  of  replenishment  prevents  its 
receiving  a  sufficient  supply  to  maintain  the  present  draft.  Any 
further  increase  in  use  can  only  be  expected  to  increase  the  rate  of 
lowering  and  shorten  the  time  when  the  increased  lift  will  result 
in  ]uimi)ing  being  no  longer  profitable. 

GROUND    WATER     IN     AREA     IN     LINDSAY-STRATH  MORE 
IRRIGATION   DISTRICT. 

This  district  includes  about  lil.OOO  acres  near  the  eastern  edge  of 
the  valley  lii'tween  Kaweah  and  Tulc  rivers,  it  is  too  far  from  the 
:ircas  irrigated  fioiu  citlK  r  sti-eam  to  have  received  ground  water  from 
such  sources.  The  locally  tributary  drainage  area  has  a  very  limited 
I'un-ofi'.  Pumpinu'  for  citrus  orchards  began  about  twenty  years  ago. 
Such  pumping  resulted  in  a  lowering  of  the  gi-ound  water.  By  1915 
■  he  water  secured  from  some  wells  had  become  too  alkaline  for  use 
without  injury  to  the  trees.  Outside  soiu'ces  of  supply  were  sought, 
the  irrigation  disti-ict  organized  and  a  system  securing  Avater  by 
pumi)ing  from  ai'cas  along  Kaweah  Hiver  constructed.  The  substitu- 
tion of  the  new  source  of  supply  for  local  pumping  resulted  in 
recovery  of  the  ground  water  in  some  wells.  In  recent  years  some 
piim|)iug  from  wells  within  the  district  has  been  resumed.  The 
lesulting  ground  water  conditions  vary  in  different  parts  of  the  dis- 
trict (\\ie  to  local  factors  of  use.  The  experience  in  this  area  fully 
demonstrates  tlic  iiia(lc(piacy  of  its  local  sources  of  ground  water 
within  the  district  to  luaiulai;!  tlie  draft  re(|uircd  for  the  area  now 
deve!op''d. 

GROUND   WATER    IN   AREAS   DEPENDENT   ON   TULE    RIVER    FOR  THEIR 

WATER    SUPPLY. 

The  area  de])endent  on  Tule  Hi\-er  for  such  water  supply  as  it  may 
receive  extentLs  on  th.e  north  to  the  center  of  the  cone  of  ground  water 
depn^ssion  produced  by  the  pumping  west  of  Lindsay  and  to  the 
Kaweah  Kivei-  areas;  to  the  west  to  the  area  considered  to  represent 


I 


Ground   Water  lifsonrccf!,   ^nufhrm   San   Joaquin   Valley.       97 

flic  ireneral  iiiin^U'd  fjround  waters  of  the  San  Joaciuiii  Valley  trouf^h ; 
to  file  soutli  to  the  Deer  Creek  area  and  to  tlie  east  to  the  line  of 
eontaet  of  the  granite  and  the  valh'v  till  or  to  the  area  eonsidered  to 
be  dependent  on  Lewis  Creek.  A  portion  of  this  area  is  served  by 
canals  diverting  from  Tule  Kiver.  Such  replenisliment  as  the 
leniainder  of  the  area  may  receive  is  indirect  by  general  ground  water 
movement.  The  boundaries  of  the  area  are  indefinite  and  there  is 
l>rol)a))ly  little  effect  from  Tule  River  on  the  ground  water  of  the 
outer  portions  of  the  area. 

In  1921  63,700  acres  were  found  to  be  irrigated  within  this  area. 
Of  this  area  al)out  2800  acres  depended  entirely  on  canal  service  for 
their  water  supply:  and  14,000  acres  received  both  canal  and  pumping 
service;  the  remaining  area  depended  entirely  on  pumping.  There 
has  been  little  change  in  the  area  served  by  canals  since  1921,  except 
as  this  varies  from  year  to  year  with  the  extent  of  the  run-off. 

For  the  whole  area,  there  was  little  change  from  1921  to  1924  in  the 
area  served  l)y  pumps.  Some  decrease  in  area  occurred  particularly 
in  the  irrigation  of  pasture.  In  1925  an  increase  of  about  4500  acres 
occurred  due  mainlv  to  the  irrigation  of  additional  areas  of  cotton. 


Run-off  of  Tule  River. 

The  run-off  of  Tule  River  was  discussed  in  detail  in  Bulletin  3.  The 
sum  of  the  run-off  of  the  main  Tule  River  and  the  South  Fork  for  the 
period  1890  to  1921  was  estimated  to  be  an  average  of  137,000  acre- 
feet  per  year.  The  discharge  for  the  years  since  1920  has  been  as 
follows : 

1920-21  90,500  acre-feet 

1921-22  141,600  acre-feet 

1922-23  102,200  acre-feet 

1923-24  26,600  acre-feet 

1924-25  87,000  acre-feet 

The  records  for  the  South  Fork  are  not  complete  for  these  years. 
Missing  records  have  been  estimated  by  comparison  with  the  main 
Tule  River.  The  addition  of  the  last  four  years  to  the  period  1890 
to  1921  results  in  an  estimated  mean  annual  run-off  for  the  period 
from  1890  to  1925  of  132,000  acre-feet. 


Diversions  by  Canals. 

Available  canal  diversion  records  were  discussed  in  Bulletin  3. 
ContinuoiLs  records  of  the  diversions  are  not  maintained.  Except  in 
years  of  large  stream  flow,  practically  all  run-off  is  diverted.  There 
has  been  no  outflow  in  Tule  River  since  1921.  It  is  estimated  that 
outflow  occurred  in  eleven  of  the  last  36  years,  the  average  amount 
being  15,000  acre-feet  per  year  for  the  entire  period. 

As  there  has  been  no  outflow  during  the  years  covered  by  the 
ground  water  observations,  the  run-off  of  Tule  River  represents  the 
water  supply  available  for  this  period.  The  available  data  does  not 
permit  the  diversions  to  be  estimated  for  different  parts  of  the  area 
served  by  canals  so  that  it  is  treated  as  a  whole. 

7—47076 


98  Deparimeni  of  Pithlic  Works. 

Ground  Water  Fluctuations. 

'riic  averai;*'  .uroiuid  \va1i*i'  Hiict  ualioiis  I'lif  tin-  whole  area  art*  sliown 
ill  the  following  tal)lt' : 

Gronnd  water  finvtiialinnF!  in  feet 
Per  cent 
nf  f/ro.ss 

area  Xoi\  1920  Nov.  1921  Xov.  1922  Nov.  192',  Nov.  1920 

irrUialcd  to  to  to                      to  to 

nivisionof  (iriu             in  1921  Xov.  1921  Xov.  1922  Xov.  192)  Xov.  1925  Xov.  192i) 

North   Tule 44  — 3.0  — 0.7  — 11.4               — 4.0  — 10.1 

Main  Tule ;!,s  — 1.5  +1.j  —  7.7               — 0.!)  —  9.0 

South    Tule 12  — 1.75  — 0.15  —   4.2              — l.ti  —  S.O 

Outer     Tule     24  —1.8  — 1.2  —  5.!i              — 3.0  — 11.9 

M-liole     Area     31  — l.S  — 0.25  —  7.1               — 2.3  — 11.45 

Itun-off  of  Tule  River 

in    acre-feet    90,500  141,600  64,400             87,000 

The  above  table  shows  wide  variations  in  the  fluctuations  for  the 
(litt'erent  areas  and  years.  These  variations  retleet  the  conditions  in 
eacli  area.  It  is  necessary  to  discuss  the  o round  water  conditions 
.separately  for  such  divisions  of  the  area. 

GROUND  WATER  IN  MAIN  TULE  RIVER  AREA  INCLUDING  THE  AREAS 
WITHIN  WHICH  SOME  LANDS  RECEIVE  CANAL  IRRIGATION  FROM 
TULE   RIVER. 

This  area  includes  all  lands  i-eceiving  any  irrigation  from  Tule 
River  except  those  below  the  junction  of  Elk  Bayou  and  Tule  River. 
In  some  years  excess  flow  in  Tule  River  may  reach  areas  adjacent  to 
Tulare  Lake:  this  has  not  occurred  in  the  years  covered  by  the  ground 
water  records. 

The  principal  irrigation  from  Tule  River  occurs  in  the  upper  por- 
tion of  the  area  from  Porterville  to  Woodville.  The  canals  in  the 
lower  portion  of  the  area  receive  only  irregular  service.  The  data 
have  been  divided  into  three  areas  representiuu'  the  upper,  middle  and 
lower  portions. 

In  1921  the  areas  irrigated  were  canvassed  and  data  on  the  pump- 
inu'  draft  secured  with  the  following  results: 


Area 

irrigated 

entirely 

Estimated 

Per  cent 

Estima 

ted  draft. 

Gross 

or  i)artly 

gross 

of  gross 

acre- fret 

ner  a  eve  of 

area,  hy 

pumyinfj. 

draft. 

area 

gross 

h^igated 

acres 

acres 

acre-feet 

irvic/nted 

liven 

area 

Upper    lands    ea.st 

of    west    line    of 

Range    27    East 

26,200 

8,365 

20.900 

32 

0.80 

2.5 

Lands      in      Range 

26    East 

28,800 

11,167 

21,100 

39 

.75 

1.9 

Lands        west        of 

Range    26    East 

21,800 
76,800 

6,623 

10,400 

30 
34 

.50 
0.7 

1.6 

Totals     

26.155 

52,400 

2T0 

Additional      area 

receiving    only 

canal     service     

2,805 

28,960  38 

In  the  upper  area  orchards,  mainly  citrus,  were  the  more  extensive 
crop,  Avith  alfalfa  grown  on  the  next  largest  area.  In  the  middle  area 
there  were  less  trees  l)ut  more  vines,  with  a  larger  area  in  alfalfa  than 
in  any  other  crop.  Alfalfa  and  pasture  jiredoininated  in  the  western 
portion.     In  1924  the  total  area  receiving  puiu])  service  had  increased 


Ground   Water   Resources,  Southern  San  Joaquin   Valley.       99 

()iil\   slightly,  Ihc  increase's  and  decivases  in  dilfiuvnt  parts  of  the  area 
nearly  balancing.     In  1925  there  was  an  increase  of  al)out  1700  acres. 
Tlie  Hnetnations  of  the  <;ronnd  water  I'or  the  five  years,  1921  to  1925, 
are  as  follows : 

Average  fluctuations  of  the  f/round  water  in  feet 
Year  Upp&r  portion  Middle  portion  Western  portion 

1921     —  .35  —1.20  —3.30 

1H22 —  .2  +2.0  -fl.25 

1923-1924      — 6.7  —9.0  —7.5 

1925    +2.3  — 2.2  — 2.G 

Totals    — 4.95  —10.4  — 12.15 

In  the  upper  area  Tuh^  River  and  Porter  Slough  as  well  as  the 
diversions  by  canals  result  in  a  more  direct  recharge  of  the  ground 
water  with  a  consequent  smaller  lowering.  Even  with  the  below 
normal  run-off  of  1925,  the  ground  water  rose  over  nearly  all  of  this 
area.  The  records  indicate  that  with  normal  run-off'  this  upper  area 
as  a  whole  will  maintain  its  ground  water  with  present  development. 
However,  while  this  statement  is  considered  to  be  correct  for  the  area 
as  a  whole,  it  will  not  apply  to  all  parts  of  the  area.  Heavy  pumping 
in  local  areas  not  receiving  canal  supply  would  be  expected  to  result 
in  progressive  lowering. 

In  the  middle  ai'ea  the  increa.se  in  the  area  supplied  by  pumping 
since  1921  resulted  in  a  greater  lowering  in  1925  than  in  1921  with 
about  the  same  run-off  in  Tule  River.  A  sufHcient  proportion  of  the 
larger  run-off  in  1922  reached  these  lands  to  result  in  a  rise  over 
nearly  the  entire  area.  The  low^ering  in  1923  and  1924  exceeded  that 
in  other  portions  of  the  Main  Tule  area.  The  lands  receiving  canal 
service  are  distri])uted  over  nearly  all  of  this  area.  The  present  rate 
of  pumping  draft  is  larger  than  in  the  upper  area.  The  available 
records  do  not  cover  years  of  normal  run-off  under  present  rates  of 
draft,  so  that  the  effect  of  normal  run-off  is  difficult  to  predict.  The 
lowering  in  1925  probably  reju-esents  a  ground  water  depletion  of 
about  12,000  acre-feet.  Tlie  run-off  in  1925  was  about  50,000  acre-feet 
below  normal.  This  area  should  receive  one-fourth  or  more  of  the  dif- 
ference between  the  run-oft'  in  1925  and  the  normal  run-off  so  that  the 
ground  water  would  be  expected  to  be  maintained  in  a  normal  year. 
It  would  appear  that  the  present  draft  can  be  supported  by  this  area 
without  continued  ground  water  low^ering,  the  gains  of  normal  or  w^et 
years  balancing  the  losses  of  dry  years.  However,  any  material 
increase  in  draft  w^mld  probably  result  in  progres.sivc  lowering  par- 
ticularly in  the  portions  not  receiving  direct  canal  service. 

In  the  western  area,  the  tluetuations  in  different  years  are  less  con- 
sistent. Less  lowering  occurred  in  1925  than  in  1921.  A  rise  occurred 
in  1922.  Diversions  into  this  area  have  been  very  small  in  the  years 
shown  except  in  1922.  Th(>  increased  lift  has  tended  to  decrease  the 
draft  which  prol)ably  explains  the  decreased  lowering  in  1925  as  com- 
pared to  1921.  Judged  by  1922,  normal  I'un-off  should  maintain  the 
ground  water  in  this  area.  TIk^  maintenance  of  the  ground  water  will 
be  dependent  on  the  actual  How  of  the  river  and  diversion  by  canals 
wdthin  the  area  rather  than  by  general  ground  water  movement  into 
the  area.  In  1921  with  very  little  stream  flow  or  diversion  within 
this  area,  the  draft  can  be  accounted  for  by  the  ground  water  lower- 


100 


Department  of  Public  Works. 


WELL  T-10. 
Two  miles  south  of  Woodville  In  edge  of  canal  area. 


WELL  T-3.     One  mile  northeast  of  Well  T-19. 


WELL  T-19.     On  Tule  River  near  Woodville. 


u 

n 

t 

3 


■a 

c 


o 


E 

o      15 


WELL  U-50.     On  lower  Tule  River. 


a. 

o 

a 


20 
25 
30 
35 
40 


*m. 

'♦n 

''■ 

^ 

3 

— ». 

^ 

J^i 

"■ 

/ 

^*« 

19 

22. 

& 

192 

4 

y^D 

.(l92 

> 

— 

— ♦ 

WELL  S-2A.    South  of  Tule  River  in  canal  area. 


5 

10 
15 
20 
25 


. 

^o 

_- 

— o- 

192 

n^ 

7    ^'^ 

— ♦( 

N- 

*^ 

1922 

*^ 

1 

^■>. 

.-^' 

WELL   X-23. 
South  of  Tule  River  outside  of  canal  area. 


30 
35 
40 
45 
50 


-o-^ 

1920 

1 

LI92L„ 

r-^c 

1 1 

1922 

t 

4 

— . 

» 

-♦- 

—  * 

a 

192' 

-^ 

- 

♦-^ 

-♦s 

.Jp 

♦ 

WELL  S-22.     Four  miles  northwest  ot  Porterville. 


1917 

LEGEND.    1918 

1919 


1920 
1921 
1922 


WELL  S-6.     Near  Porter  Slough. 


z     iDii:a:>:z-idt^i-i>o 


FIG.    17.    Hydrographs   of   typical   wells   in    Main    Tule    River   Area. 


Ground  Water  Resources,  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.     101 

ing.  The  same  is  true  in  1925.  In  1922  only  10  per  cent  of  the  run- 
off of  Tule  River  would  need  to  reach  this  area  in  order  to  supply  the 
draft  and  account  for  the  jjround  water  rise  that  occurred.  These 
general  comparisons  indicate  that  no  large  item  for  movement  of 
ground  water  into  the  area  is  required  in  order  to  account  for  the 
tiuetuations.  Such  movement,  if  it  occurs,  would  occur  slowly  and 
would  represent  only  a  limited  quantity  per  year.  These  results  are 
another  illustration  of  the  dependence  of  ground  water  on  direct  and 
local  sources  of  supply  rather  than  on  distant  movements. 

Ilydrographs  of  typical  wells  are  shown  in  Fig.  17.  Well  S-6  is 
near  Porter  Slougli  and  canal  irrigation  in  the  area  west  of  Porter- 
ville.  It  recovered  tlu'  lowering  of  1924  in  1925.  In  years  of  normal 
run-off  this  well  would  be  expected  to  fully  maintain  its  level.  "Well 
T-19  is  the  same  as  Well  1331  of  the  Lindsay-Strathmore  Irrigation 
District,  so  that  records  since  1917  are  available.  It  is  located  on  Tule 
River  in  the  middle  portion  of  tlie  ^Main  Tule  area.  In  1917  normal 
run-off  resulted  in  a  high  ground  water  level  in  this  well.  Lowering 
occurred  in  the  following  dry  years  to  1922  when  nearly  all  of  the 
loss  was  recovered.  Larger  lowering  occurred  in  1923  and  1924  with 
some  net  loss  in  1925  and  1926.  In  April,  1925,  a  short  flow  occurred 
in  Tule  River  at  this  well  which  resulted  in  a  marked  rise.  The 
amount  of  this  flow  was  not  sufficient,  however,  to  maintain  this  gain 
and  there  was  a  small  net  lowering  in  1925.  With  normal  run-off 
this  well  would  be  expected  to  recover  its  former  levels. 

AVell  U-5()  Ls  along  Tule  River  in  the  lower  portion  of  the  Main 
Tule  River  area.  It  recovered  in  1922  but  has  lowered  continuously 
since.  Recovery  is  to  be  expected  in  any  years  in  which  flow  in  Tule 
River  reaches  this  portion  of  the  river.  Over  a  series  of  years  of 
average  run-oft'  this  well  would  be  expected  to  maintain  its  level. 

AVell  S-22  is  located  in  the  northern  part  of  the  upper  portion  of 
the  ]\Iain  Tule  area.  Canal  irrigation  is  received  to  the  east  of  this 
well.  Lowering  has  occurred  in  each  year  covered  by  the  records. 
The  normal  run-off  in  1922  resulted  in  small  lowering.  This  well 
shonld  hold  its  level  in  years  of  above  normal  supply  but  would  not 
be  expected  to  gain  sufficiently  in  such  years  to  balance  the  lowering 
in  subnormal  years  and  a  continual  lowering  is  to  be  anticipated. 

Well  T-3  is  1  mile  northeast  of  AVell  T-19.  Continuous  lowering 
has  occurred  except  in  "1922.  The  rise  shown  by  AVell  T-]9  in  April. 
1925,  did  not  reach  AVell  T-3.  Unless  pumping  draft  is  too  greatly 
increased,  this  well  would  be  expected  to  maintain  its  levels  over  a 
series  of  normal  vears. 

AVelLs  S-24,  X-23  and  T-10  are  all  located  south  of  Tule  River  and 
illustrate  the  dift'erence  in  lowering  that  results  from  varying  con- 
ditions of  canal  supply.  AVell  S-24  is  about  1  mile  south  of  the  river 
and  under  the  Poplar  Ditch.  It  rose  in  1922  and  showed  a  relatively 
small  lowering  in  1923  and  1924.  The  supply  in  the  Poplar  Ditch  in 
1925  resulted  in  a  rise  over  1924.  No  permanent  lowering  is  to  be 
expected  in  this  well.  AVell  X-23  is  three  miles  southeast  of  Poplar 
and  away  from  canal  irrigated  lands.  It  did  not  gain  in  either  1922 
or  1925  and  has  lowered  15  feet  in  the  five  years  from  1920  to  1925. 
Continued  lowering  in  this  well  is  to  be  expected  even  in  years  of 


102 


Department  of  Public  Works. 


normal  run-off.  Well  T-10  is  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  area 
receiving  canal  service  south  of  Woodville.  A  small  gain  was  shown 
in  1922.  No  recovery  occurred  in  1925.  In  normal  years  this  well 
would  probably  maintain  its  level,  although  the  increase  in  pumping 
since  1922  may  have  changed  the  conditions  tlien  existing.  Over  a 
series  of  years  having  average  run-off  in  Tule  River  this  well  would 
be  expected  to  show  some  continued  lowering. 


GROUND   WATER   IN   AREA   ON    NORTH    OF   TULE    RIVER   DELTA. 

The  area  toward  which  the  ground  water  now  slopes  from  Tule 
River,  as  shown  on  Map  No.  1,  differs  from  that  toward  which  the 
ground  water  sloped  prior  to  pumping  due  to  the  cone  of  depression 
that  has  been  caused  by  the  pumping  draft.  The  development  began 
prior  to  1912.  A  total  of  10,530  acres  out  of  a  gross  area  of  23,700 
acres  were  irrigated  in  1921.  This  represents  a  development  of  nearly 
one-half  the  gross  area.  The  area  irrigated  increased  to  11,900  acres 
in  1924.  As  there  are  no  direct  stream  supplies  or  canal  use  in  this  area, 
such  a  large  proportion  of  development  would  be  expected  to  result  in 
rapid  depletion  of  the  ground  water. 

Ground  water  observations  were  begun  in  this  area  in  1917  by  the 
Lindsay-Strathmore  Irrigation  District.  The  average  results  for  all 
years  of  observation  are  shown  in  the  following  table : 


Season 
endinu 
Nov.  1 

of 
1917 

Mean  lowering 

of  the  ground 

water 

4.0 

Mean  rise  of 

ground  water 

from  Nov.  1 

to  Feb.  1  of 

year  listed 

l.S 
1.9 

2.7 
3.4 

1.5 

Riin-off  of 
rule  River, 
totn.l  acre-feet 
120,100 
50,900 
76,400 
111,800 
90,500 
141,600 

64.400 

87,000 

Rainfall  at 
Portervillc, 

inches 

11.65 

1918 

3.9 

8.12 

1919 

3  5 

10.25 

1920     _ 

3.1 

10.67 

1921 

3.0 

9,49 

1922 

.7 

13.32 

1923 

8.36 

1924 

11.4 

5.27 

1925 

4.0 

12.00 

Total  or  mean 34.2 

10.06 
(long  time  mean) 

A  tendency  toward  a  larger  recovery  during  the  winter  season  was 
shown  in  the  earlier  years.  The  observations  since  1921  have  not  been 
sufficiently  frequent  to  determine  the  amount  of  winter  recovery 
except  for  1924-25,  in  which  fifteen  wells  recovered  an  average  of 
1.5  feet.  Although  the  ground  water  slope  into  tliis  area  was  steeper 
in  the  winter  of  1924-25  than  in  the  earlier  winters,  there  does  not 
appear  to  be  any  greater  recovery  due  to  such  steeper  gradient.  As 
the  winter  of  1924-25  was  one  of  irregular  rainfall  with  more  pump- 
ing than  is  usually  practiced,  further  records  are  required  before 
positive  conclusions  can  be  drawn. 

The  lowering  in  1925  was  larger  than  in  1918,  1919,  or  1921, 
although  the  run-ott'  was  similar  or  larger  in  1925  than  in  these  earlier 
years.  The  only  year  having  normal  run-oft',  1922,  showed  a  lowering. 
The  larger  rainfall  in  1922  probably  reduced  the  pumping  draft. 
These  records  and  comparisons  indicate  that  a  general  average  lower- 
ing of  about  4  feet  per  year  can  be  anticipated  in  this  area  and  that 


« 


Ground   Waiir   RcsDurce!^,  Southern  San  Joaquin   Valley.     103 

tlie  lowering-  will  tend  to  be  more  uniform  from  year  to  year  than 
the  run-olf  of  Tule  River. 

Well  P-15.  Fig'.  ]8,  is  located  in  the  southwestern  portion  of  this 
cii'ea,  about  5  miles  from  Outside  Creek  on  the  Kaweah  Delta  and  one 
and  one-half  miles  from  AVell  T-3,  Fig.  17.  in  the  Tule  River  area. 
It  is  more  favorably  situated  in  relation  to  these  sources  of  supply 
than  the  average  for  this  area.  ]\[aterial  lowering  has  occurred  in  all 
years  since  1917,  excejit  1922.  While  some  recovery  may  occur  in 
years  of  excess  run-off,  such  recoveiy  can  not  be  expected  to  equal  the 
lowering  in  years  of  less  than  normal  supply  and  progressive  lowering 
under  existing  conditions  is  to  be  expected  at  this  well.  Well  Q-13 
is  located  ne^ir  the  nortli  side  of  this  area  and  about  in  the  center  of 
the  cone  of  depression.  Only  records  for  ]924  to  1926  are  available. 
These  show  a  material  lowering  in  each  of  these  years. 

GROUND  WATER  IN  SOUTH  TULE  AREA. 

This  area  includes  7000  acres  lying  south  of  the  area  reached  by 
canals  diverting  from  Tule  River  and  north  of  the  area  that  may  be 
affected  by  Deer  Creek.  Only  860  acres  or  12  per  cent  of  the  area  was 
irrigated  in  1921.  In  1924  the  area  irrigated  had  increased  to  1130 
acres.  Practically  all  the  development  is  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the 
area  and  consists  of  citrus  orchards. 

The  ground  water  has  lowered  less  in  the  last  five  years  than  in  any 
other  outer  area  adjacent  to  Tule  River.  The  amount  of  the  low'ering 
increases  from  the  north  to  the  south 

The  gross  draft  in  1921  was  estimated  as  2780  acre-feet  or  an  aver- 
age of  3.35  acre-feet  per  acre  irrigated.  Some  of  this  probably 
returned  to  the  ground  water.  If  the  net  draft  is  assumed  to  be  2 
acre-feet  per  acre  or  1720  acre-feet  per  year,  the  average  lowering 
over  the  gross  area  would  supply  the  full  draft  without  any  inflow  if 
the  drainage  factor  is  15  per  cent.  Continued  lowering  in  this  area 
is  to  be  anticipated.  Unless  the  area  irrigated  is  increased,  how^ever, 
the  average  rate  of  lowering  to  be  expected  will  require  a  relatively 
long  period  before  the  costs  of  pumping  become  excessive  for  the 
present  crop.  The  smaller  rate  of  lowering  appears  to  be  due  more 
to  the  small  proportion  of  the  area  which  is  developed  than  to  any 
direct  source  of  ground  water  supply. 

Well  Y-3,  Fig.  18,  is  located  in  the  center  of  this  area  and  west  of 
the  pumping  area.  The  lowering  shows  a  tendency  to  increase  in 
amount;  with  a  similar  amount  of  run-off  in  Tule  River  in  1921  and 
1925,  a  lowering  of  two  feet  occurred  in  1925  as  compared  "vnth  no 
lowering  in  1921. 


'o 


GROUND   WATER   IN   OUTER  TULE   RIVER   AREA. 

This  area  lies  southwesterly  from  the  area  which  receives  irrigation 
from  canals  diverting  from  Tule  River.  The  data  have  been  divided 
so  as  to  .show  the  results  in  the  eastern  and  western  portions  sep- 
arately, this  division  being  made  on  the  west  line  of  range  25  east. 
The  eastern  portion  covers  the  part  of  the  Tule  River  Delta  from 
Pixley  to  Tipton,  extending  eastward  to  the  area  covered  by  canals. 


104 


Deparimeni  of  Puhlic  M^orks. 


WELL  U-44. 
In  pumping  area  between  Tipton  and  Pixley. 


WELL  0-30. 
In  pumping  area  southwest  of  Tipton. 


50 
55 
60 
65 

70 
75 


"> 

<^Pn 

^C 

-— 

h-1^ 

^^^0 

1922' 

♦s 

Ss 

1924' 

"^-s 

1925 

»1 

)26 

35 
40 
45 
50 
55 
60 


-*, 

►^^ 

.— 

— 

92( 

-•- 

-0 

\ 

— 

J921 

1      "0 

-^ 

"' 

1922* 

.11924 

1 

WELL  P-15.     At  south  edge  o(  north  Tuie  area. 


o 

IS 

"t 
in 


■o 
c 

3 

o 


X 

a. 
u 
O 


WELL  V-12.     North  of  Aluaugh.  formeily  artesian. 


5 

10 
15 
20 
25 
30 
35 


^ 

\ 

^ 

\ 

^ 

l 

i 

if 

><l 

r" 

195 

12 

1 

924 

L 

1925* 

1 

Z       CQ       OC       OC 


u.      5     <      5 


Z  _l  O  o-  K  >  O 
O  D  3  UJ  (J  O  u 
T       ^       <       W       O       Z       O 


25 
30 
35 
40 


WELL  V-8. 
West  of  Pixley  at  edge  of  pumping  area. 


.—>• 

; 

22i 

♦-* 

1920    , 

— ~o 

\ 

19^22« 

4 

192 

i 

WELL  0-13.     In  north  Tule  area. 


60 
65 
70 


1926 


Y^ 


WELL  Y-3.     In  south  Tule  area. 


^33 


1917-«- 
1918~*- 
1919-0- 


LEGEND. 
.,-     1920  — 1-- — ■ 

-"-      1921  —  -^^ 

—  -     1922-'-i-- 


►  -  1924 -.i- 
:-  1925--*-. 
-■    1926 


FIG.   18.   Hydrographs   of  typical   wells  in   Outer   Tule    River   Area. 


Ground   Wafer  Resources,  ^onlhern   San  Joaquin   Valley.     105 

Tlic  wosterii  portion  includes  the  area  which  may  receive  its  ground 
water  supply  from  Tulo  River  sources,  l)ut  which  is  situated  relatively 
distant  from  any  channel  or  canals  supplied  by  Tule  River.  The 
western  boundary  of  the  area  i.s  the  division  between  ground  water 
derived  from  Tule  River  and  that  derived  from  general  mingled 
sources  and  is  necessarily  indefinite. 

The  canvass  of  pumping  in  these  two  areas  in  192]  gave  the  follow- 
ing results: 

Per  Estimated  draft , 

Estunufcd  cent      acre- feet  pi")  acre 

'I'otal  area           Gross               gross  of  gross  of                of 

irrigated,           area,               draft,  area  gross      irrigated 

aci'es                acres            aere-feet  irrigated     area  area 

Eastern  portion 12,366              40,400              31,660  31  .80              2.5-'. 

Western    portion 10,988              56,300              20,480  20  .35              1.85 

Totals     23,354  96,700  52,140  24  .55  2.25 

In  1921  the  development  in  the  eastern  portion  consisted  largely  of 
alfalfa  with  a  marked  increase  of  vines  in  the  preceding  year.  In  the 
western  portion  alfalfa  and  pasture  were  the  main  crops  with  only 
small  areas  of  orchards  or  vines.  In  192-1  the  area  irrigated  had 
decreased  about  10  per  cent  from  the  area  in  1921,  due  mainly  to  the 
decrease  in  the  area  of  pasture.  In  1925  the  area  increased  so  as  to 
.slightly  exceed  that  of  1921. 

The  average  fluctuations  of  the  gi'ound  water  during  the  five  years, 
1921  to  1925,  have  been  as  follows : 

Average  lowering  of  the  ground  ivater  in  feet 
Year  Eastern  portion  Western  portion 

1921  2.25  1.55 

1922 1.4  1.0 

1923-24  6.0  5.85 

3925  3.5  2.1 

Totals    13.15  10.50 

As  in  the  case  of  other  Tule  River  areas,  a  larger  lowering  occurred 
in  1925  than  in  1921,  although  the  run-off  of  Tule  River  was  practi- 
cally the  same  in  these  two  years.  Lowering  occurred  in  1922  with 
a  run-off  slightly  above  normal. 

The  rate  of  draft  on  the  eastern  portion  of  the  area  in  1921  was 
similar  to  that  on  the  upper  area  receiving  canal  service,  the  lowering 
was  six  times  as  large  as  in  the  canal  areas.  In  the  western  portion 
the  rate  of  draft  was  less  than  half  of  that  in  the  upper  canal-served 
area,  the  lowering  was  over  four  times  as  large  as  in  the  canal  area. 
These  comparisons  show  the  greater  sensitiveness  to  draft  of  outlying 
areas  not  directly  supplied  by  surface  flow  and  demonstrate  the  ranch 
smaller  rate  of  draft  which  such  distant  areas  can  maintain  without 
continued  lowering  of  the  ground  water. 

In  1921,  information  was  secured  from  the  owners  of  fifteen  wells 
covering  the  fluctuations  in  the  preceding  5  to  15  years.  The  lowering 
\aried  from  14  to  29  fci^t  and  averaged  21  feet.  The  larger  number  of 
tlie  wells  were  in  the  western  portion  of  the  area.  For  Ave  of  the  wells 
in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  area  tlu'  lowering  varied  from  17  to  25 
feet. 

Ilydrographs  of  typical  wells  in  this  area  are  shown  in  Fig.  18. 
Well  U-44  is  located  in  the  pnmjiing  area  extending  from  Tipton  to 


106  Department  of  Puhlic  WorJis. 

Pixley.  Continued  lowering  i.s  shown.  The  lowering  has  been  fairly 
uniform  per  year,  being  about  the  same  in  1922  with  above  average 
run-otf  in  Tule  River  as  in  the  other  years  of  less  than  average  run-off. 
AVell  V-8  is  about  4  miles  southwest  of  Well  T-ll  and  Avest  of  the 
main  pumping  area.     Less  find  nation  is  shown. 

Well  V-12  is  two  miles  south  of  AVell  V-8.  It  was  fonneily  artesian, 
but  stood  over  30  feet  below  the  ground  surface  in  November,  1925. 
From  1920  to  1922  littl(>  actual  lowci-ing  occurred,  the  cycle  of  fluctu- 
ation corresponding  to  that  usually  sliown  by  wells  in  i)ressure  strata 
with  a  reduction  of  pressure  during  the  summer  season  of  draft  and 
a  winter  recovery.  Conditions  of  increased  draft  since  1922  have 
resulted  in  a  lowering  of  about  -W  feet  from  1922  to  1925. 

Well  O-;}0  is  southwest  from  Ti])ton  in  the  ])umping  area.  This  is 
a  shallow  well  and  shows  coutiuued  lowering,  although  the  amount  of 
such  lowering  is  less  than  in  tlic  deeper  well,  A^-12. 

The  W'clls  in  the  western  portion  of  this  area  "were  formerly  largely 
artesian.  Wells  which  formerly  flowed  have  not  flowed  for  several 
years,  some  sliglit  flow  may  occur  during  the  wi)iter  months  of  mini- 
nuim  pumping  draft. 

The  present  estimated  draft  iu  tliis  whole  area  is  about  48,000  acre- 
feet  per  year  or  about  35  per  cent  of  the  mean  annual  run-off  of 
Tule  River.  The  ground  water  slopes  from  the  main  Tule  River  area, 
but  the  rate  of  slope  and  character  of  the  material  are  not  such  as  to 
indicate  the  movement  of  any  such  large  proportion  of  the  Tule  River 
supply  into  this  area.  The  extent  of  use  and  the  ground  water  fluctu- 
ations indicate  that  lunirly  all  the  Tuli>  River  supply  is  retained  and 
used  within  the  nuiin  Tule  River  area. 

The  ground  water  lowering  from  1921  to  1925  represents  the  drain- 
age of  a  soil  volume  of  1,140.000  acre-feet.  The  total  net  draft  at  2.0 
area-feet  per  acre  for  the  same  five-\'ear  period  w'ould  be  about  235,000 
acre-feet.  If  the  drainage  factor  is  assumed  to  be  12.5  per  cent  based 
on  data  from  other  similar  areas,  the  ground  water  lowering  would 
account  for  140,000  acre-feet,  leaving  a  total  of  95,000  acre-feet  or 
19,000  acre-feet  per  year  to  he  supplied  by  ground  w^ater  movement 
into  the  area.  While  such  a  comparison  is  necessarily  open  to  uncer- 
tainty in  its  numerical  items,  the  general  result  appears  reasonable. 
It  is  doubtful  if  a  ground  water  movement  of  more  than  20,000  acre- 
feet  per  year  into  this  area  occurs.  This  is  less  than  half  the  average 
draft  for  the  past  live  years. 

The  ground  water  in  this  area  is  only  indirectly  affected  by  the 
annual  variations  in  the  run-off  of  Tule  River.  More  lowering  has 
occurred  in  dry  years  than  in  seasons  of  larsrer  run-off.  However,  the 
years  of  larger  run-off'  are  also  years  of  larger  local  rainfall.  Increased 
rainfall  tends  to  decrease  the  draft  due  to  the  smaller  amount  of 
irrigation  applied.  The  ground  water  is  at  too  great  a  depth  for 
direct  penetration  of  rainfall  to  the  water  table  to  occur. 

The  continuation  of  the  present  pumping  draft  in  this  area  can  only 
be  expected  to  result  in  an  average  ground  water  lowering  of  about  2 
feet  per  year,  even  with  average  rainfall  and  run-off.  In  dry  years 
larger  lowering  is  to  be  expected ;  even  in  Avet  years  some  lowering  is 
to  be  anticipated. 


Ground   Water  licsources.  Southern   San   Joaquin   Valley.     107 

GROUND  WATER   IN   DEER  CREEK  AREA. 

This  area  includes  those  lands  whicli  appear  to  be  dependent  on  the 
run-off  of  Deer  Creek  for  such  surface  and  ground  waters  as  may  be 
available.  It  lies  between  the  Tule  River  and  White  Creek  areas,  and 
extends  from  the  foothills  to  the  general  minoled  ground  water  of  the 
San  Joa(iuin  Valley.  Like  other  areas  its  boundaries  are  not  definite 
and  some  mingling  of  the  ground  water  from  adjacent  sources  may 
occur  in  the  outer  portions. 

The  estimated  mean  annual  run-oft'  of  Deer  Creek  is  19,000  acre-feet 
as  previously  discussed.  This  with  the  run-off  of  such  lower  hill  areas 
as  are  tributary  to  this  area,  estimated  as  not  to  exceed  1000  acre-feet, 
gives  a  mean  annual  water  supply  of  20,000  acre-feet.  There  is  some 
direct  use  of  Deer  Creek  for  irrigation,  but  much  the  larger  portion 
of  the  run-off  reaches  the  ground  water. 

Including  the  area  irrigated  in  the  Terra  Bella  Irrigation  District, 
a  total  of  15,500  acres  were  found  to  be  irrigated  in  1921.  The  area 
irrigated  in  the  Terra  Bella  District  increased  from  3840  acres  in  1921 
to  4680  in  1925.  The  area  irrigated  in  1924,  including  that  served 
by  the  Terra  Bella  District,  is  estimated  to  be  19,000  acres,  or  an 
increase  of  about  20  per  cent  since  1921.  The  area  irrigated  in  1924 
represents  only  18  per  cent  of  the  gross  area  of  106,000  acres. 

The  delivery  in  the  Terra  Bella  District  has  averaged  1.5  acre-feet 
per  acre  cropped.  The  use  on  citrus  orchards  has  varied  from  1.75 
to  2.0  acre-feet  per  acre.  Under  individual  pumping  plants  where 
the  wells  were  able  to  supply  larger  quantities,  the  average  amount 
pumped  was  found  to  be  about  3.0  acre-feet  per  acre  in  1921. 

The  following  table  shows  the  relation  of  the  lowering  to  the  run-off 
of  Deer  Creek.  Observations  of  the  ground  water  were  not  made  in 
1923,  so  that  it  is  necessary  to  combine  the  seasons  of  1923  and  1924. 
The  run-off  of  Deer  Creek  is  taken  from  measurements  by  the  Terra 
Bella   Irrigation  District: 

Average  Run-off 

lowering  of  the  of  Deer  creek. 

Period  ground  loater  in  feet  total  acre  feet 

November,    1920,   to   November,    1921 1.9  11,440 

November,    1921,   to  November,    1922 .95  16,480 

November,    1922,   to   November,    1924 4.6  *9,360 

November,    1924,    to  November.    1925 2.4  *iI'Soa 

Entire  period  November,  1920,  to  November,  1925_-      9.85  *12,780 

*  Mean   annual    run-off  for   the   period. 

The  lowering  for  1921.  1922  and  1923-24  is  inversely  proportional 
to  the  run-off  of  Deer  Creek.  The  effect  of  the  increasing  draft  is 
>,hown  by  a  comparison  of  1922  with  1925.  Although  there  was  a 
larger  run-off  in  1925  than  in  1922,  an  average  lowering  of  2.4  feet 
occurred  in  1925  as  compared  with  0.95  feet  in  1922.  The  averag_e 
lowering  in  1923  and  1924  was  ])raetically  the  same  as  that  in  1925, 
{dthough  the  run-off  in  1925  was  nearly  twice  as  large  as  the  average 
for  1923  and  1924.  As  the  run-off  in  1925  was  nearly  normal,  an 
average  lowering  of  a1)ont  2.5  feet  per  year  can  be  expected  under 
l)resent  conditions  of  draft  in  this  area,  even  in  \ears  of  average  run- 
oft'.  Onlv  a  small  area  along  the  upper  course  of  Deer  Creek  rose 
in  1925.  ■ 


108 


Department  of  Puhlic  Works. 


WELL  V-3.    At  west  end  of  Ocer  Creek  area 
away  from  pumping. 


WELL  X-1.    Adiacent  lo  valley  welts 
of  Terra  Bella  Irrigation  District. 


35 

40 

c 

45 

0) 

o 

(S 

50 

3 

n 

55 

•a 
c 

3 

o 

E 
o 

35 

1. 

u 

40 
45 

o 

50 

a 
u 

55 

WELL  W-14.     At  Earhmart. 


1 — ♦ 

♦— 

r*- 

r — 

— 1 

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~"?92r 

^1920" 

— -' 

1922* 

*s 

V 

1924 

-igff 

V, 

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^^« 



"^ 

1925 

i 

WELL  X-36.     In  Sec,  3.  T.  23  S..  R.  26  E.. 

M.  D.  B.  &  M. 

Area  of  small  pumpmg  draft. 


— 

— 

■~^< 

— 

— — , 

♦  - 

—  * 

1920 

-    J 

— 

19^1 

*• 

1£ 

22 

1 

>■■ , 

►ii 

25 

A 

192 

\ 

-^- 

~- 

19 

26 

30 
35 
40 
45 
50 


WELL  X-10.     In  Sec.  27,  T.  22  S..  R.  26  E.. 

M.  D.  B.  &  fVI.     In  area 

of  local  pumping  west  of  Terra  Bella  District  wells. 


•  »^ 

~,. 

1 

1920 

-. 

/J 

W' 

^ 

1922 

• 

1924 

WELL  Y-32.     In  Terra  Bella  Irrigation  District. 


WELL  Y-22.     North  of  Deer  Creek 
in  upper  part  of  area. 


ZBiiroc>;z-JOo.>-     >o 
->u.5<2->-'<too      zO 


90 


95 


100 


105 


110 


1926_ 

— ♦ 

19 

, 

. 4 

r*' 

192 

1 

i< 

22 

t 

•« 

_j 

^ 

1920 

zmircr^z-'oi^i-     >o 

<liJ<lQ.2330'^'->0'*' 
->u.5<      S-j-'<<'>020 


LEGEND. 


1920  — » . —  1924 

1921  — o '—  1925- 

1922  --' -—  1926 


FIG.    19.   Hydrographs    of    typical    wells    in    Deer    Creek   Area. 


Ground   Water  Resources,  Southern   San   Joaquin  Valley.     109 

Tlio  total  draft  for  the  whole  area  was  estimated  to  be  35,000  aere- 
feet  in  1921.  This  was  obtained  by  a  canvass  of  each  individual 
pumping  plant  in  which  data  on  its  discharge  and  period  of  operation 
wei'c  obtained  as  detinitely  as  the  variable  tield  conditions  would 
permit.  This  includes  the  draft  by  the  Terra  Bella  District.  The 
draft  of  the  Terra  Bella  District  increased  from  5816  acres  in  1921 
to  6843  acre-feet  in  1925.  The  draft  by  individual  plants  in  1925  is 
estimated  to  have  increased  to  about  85,000  acre-feet.  The  estimated 
draft  in  1921  was  over  twice  tlie  run-otf  for  that  year  and  over  50  per 
cent  in  excess  of  the  estimated  mean  annual  run-off  available  for  these 
areas.  In  1925  the  draft  liad  increased  to  twice  the  mean  annual 
run-off. 

Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  are  shown  in  Fig.  19.  Well  V-3 
is  at  the  western  end  of  the  area  and  remote  from  pumping  draft. 
Little  effect  of  draft  or  of  variations  in  replenishment  is  shown.  AVell 
\V_14  at  Earlimart  is  of  similar  depth.  It  reflects  the  heavy  pumping 
draft  in  this  area.  Lowei-ing  in  each  year  occurred  amounting  to  a 
total  of  17  feet  for  the  five-year  period.  Well  X-36  is  near  the  course 
of  Deer  Creek  in  the  center  of  the  area  between  the  area  of  pumping 
l\v  the  Terra  Bella  Irrigation  District  and  the  area  between  Earlimart 
and  Pixley.  A  steady  lowering  is  shown  which  has  not  varied  mate- 
rially with  the  run-off  of  the  different  years. 

Well  Y-22  is  located  north  of  Deer  Creek  adjacent  to  the  pumping 
area  near  the  edge  of  the  valley.     Continued  lowering  is  shoW'U. 

Well  X-1  is  adjacent  to  the  valley  wells  of  the  Terra  Bella  Irri- 
gation District.  The  eff'eet  of  the  summer  draft  and  winter  recovery 
is  shown.  About  20  feet  lowering  has  occurred  in  the  five-year  period. 
AVell  X-10  is  shown  3  miles  we.st  of  the  Terra  Bella  District  wells, 
l^owering  is  shown  without  the  marked  seasonal  fluctuations  shown 
by  WelfX-l. 

Well  Y-32  is  within  the  Terra  Bella  Irrigation  District.  The  water 
supply  for  this  district  is  secured  from  outside  sources.  A  rise  of  16 
feet  has  occurred  in  the  five-year  period.  As  there  is  very  little 
l)umping  wafhin  the  district,  this  rise  reflects  the  ground  water 
received  from  the  irrigation  by  outside  supplies  and  the  local  run-off. 
Wells  at  the  western  edge  of  the  Terra  Bella  District  have  not  shown 
a  similar  rise. 

The  largest  lowering  has  occin-recl  along  Deer  Creek  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  ])umping  by  the  Terra  Bella  District  as  shown  on  Map  No.  3, 
amounting  to  as  nuich  as  20  feet  for  the  five-year  period  in  parts  of 
this  area.  A  total  lowering  of  about  20  feet  has  also  occurred  in  the 
area  extending  from  I^arlimart  to  Pixley. 

Wells  east  of  the  vrest  line  oF  range  27  east  showed  an  average  low- 
ering of  only  0.6  foot  in  1925.  Some  wells  along  Deer  Creek  rose.  In 
range  26  east  an  average  lowering  of  3.2  feet  occurred.  In  the  western 
part  of  the  area  in  ranges  24  and  25  east  the  lowering  average  3.1  feet. 
At  tlie  western  edge  of  the  area  where  ])umping  draft  is  light  and  the 
mingled  ground  water  of  the  valley  trough  is  approached  only  very 
small  lowering  occurred. 

Tile  i-ecords  in  tliis  area,  similarly  to  those  for  other  areas  without 
lai-ge  sources  of  local  water  supply,  illustrate  the  sensitiveness  of  the 


110  Department  of  Public  WorJts. 

iiioimd  water  lo  i)unii)in,u.  In  the  portions  oT  the  area  in  which  there 
is  litth'  piunping,  only  limited  lowerinii  has  occurred  even  duj-ing  the 
hist  five  years  of  deficient  raiiifall.  Heavy  lowering  has  occurred  in 
all  areas  of  heavy  puiu])ing.  Tiie  lowering;  is  due  to  such  draft  rather 
tlian  to  deticieneies  in  run-off.  A  continuation  of  such  lowering  can 
('uly  ])e  expected  if  the  present  rate  of  draft  is  maintained.  Lowering 
is  to  be  expected  in  some  parts  of  the  area  even  in  years  of  excess 
run-oft'. 

J*reseiit  development  represents  only  about  one-fifth  of  the  gross 
area  and  results  in  an  ovei'draft  on  the  available  ground  water 
su])ply.  The  attempt  to  irrigate  additional  areas  of  the  85,000  acres 
in  this  area  not  now  developed  can  only  increase  the  rate  of  ground 
water  lowering  and  decrease  the  time  until  pumping  may  no  longer 
i)e  profitable.  Any  increase  in  i>umping  from  the  local  sources  of 
ground  water  is  against  the  interests  of  those  now  using  such  sources 
in  this  area. 

GROUND  WATER  IN  WHITE  CREEK  AREA. 

This  area  extends  from  the  Deer  Creek  area  on  the  north  to  the 
Jvern  County  line  on  the  south.  The  w'estern  boundary  has  been  taken 
at  about  Ihe  line  of  the  Santa  Fe  Railroad.  The  boundaries  do  not 
represent  definite  divisions  between  sources  of  supply.  The  area  rep- 
resents the  apparent  general  limits  within  which  recharge  of  the 
ground  water  from  White  Creek  may  occur  based  on  the  ground  w'ater 
contours  as  shown  on  Map  No.  1.  Further  west  the  ground  water 
blends  into  the  mingled  sources  of  ground  water  supply  of  the  general 
v;dley  trough. 

Wells  of  good  \ield  are  seeured  in  nearly  all  parts  of  this  area.  The 
(!ei)th  of  the  ground  water  increases  toward  the  upper  or  eastern  side 
(if  the  area.  Irrigation  wells  in  the  main  j^ortion  of  the  area  were 
lormei'ly  about  200  feet  in  depth.  Present  practice  is  to  install  wells 
of  about  twice  this  depth  in  order  to  secure  larger  rates  of  discharge. 
As  discussed  in  the  following  i)agcs,  such  greater  depths  of  wells  do 
not  make  available  any  new  sources  of  ground  water  supply  but  merely 
add  to  the  area  adjacent  to  the  well  through  which  the  .same  .sources 
of  supply  may  be  secured  at  a  more  rapid  rate. 

The  total  mean  annual  run-off  of  \Vhite  Creek  ha.s  been  previously 
estimated  as  6800  acre-feet.  This  occurs  irregularly  and  varies  in 
different  years  from  an  almost  negligible  ajnount  to  several  times  the 
average.  The  run-off  has  been  l)elow  normal  in  recent  years.  The 
largei'  part  of  the  run-off  appears  to  be  absorl)ed  in  the  upper  channel 
which  has  been  cut  through  the  older  sediments  and  may  be  one  of  the 
sources  of  the  artesian  supplies  of  the  lower  valley  area.  Surface 
run-off  in  recent  years  has  reacluHl  the  valley  area  only  in  limited 
amounts.  In  li)26  heavy  local  storms  i)roduced  a  temporary  run-off 
that  exceeded  that  occurring  in  any  of  the  other  years  covered  by  the 
olxservations  of  ground  water. 


Ground   ^Vater  liesources.  Southern   San   Joaquin  Valley.     Ill 

'I'lie  gross  area  is  104,000  acres.  The  acreage  irrigated  is  available 
for  1921,  1924  and  1925.  Oronnd  water  flnctuations  are  available  for 
the  last  tivt'  xcars.     The  results  jii'e  as  follows: 

Mean  1!  a  in  fall 

Period  Area  loivering  of  at  Portcrvillr,  Per  cent  of 

November  1  to  Irriaatrd.  i/ronvd  u-ater  percent  f/ross  ai-ea 

November  1  acres  in  feet  of  normal  irrigated 

1920-21     -- 11,575  1.3  95  11 

1921-22    ■  1.1  1:5;; 

1922-:;4*    15,9.50  5.9  6S  15 

1924-25    19,700  3.7  120  19 

Total  for  5  years 12.0 

*  Crop  area  for  1924.  Total  lowering  for  2-year  period  and  average  annual  rainfall 
are  used. 

The  irrigated  area  increased  70  per  cent  from  1921  to  1925.  In  1925 
the  area  was  25  per  cent  larger  than  in  1924,  due  mainly  to  the  plant- 
ing of  cotton.  The  lowering  of  the  ground  water  in  the  different  years 
has  varied  with  the  amount  of  use  rather  than  with  the  rainfall.  In 
1925  with  a  larger  rainfall,  the  average  lowering  was  about  three 
times  that  in  1921.  The  lowering  in  the  years  1923  and  1924,  includ- 
ing the  very  dry  year  of  1924,  was  less  per  year  than  that  in  1925. 

The  available  data  indicate  an  average  gross  pumping  draft  of 
nearly  3  acre-feet  per  year  per  acre  of  crop.  Based  on  comparisons 
\\\t\\  other  areas  a  net  draft  of  about  2  acre-feet  per  acre  would  be 
expected,  although  it  is  doubtful  if  pumping  has  been  practiced  on 
much  of  the  area  long  enough  to  result  in  the  downward  movement  of 
excess  moisture  reaching  the  ground  water. 

The  draft  on  the  ground  water  was  estimated  as  27,000  acre-feet  in 
1921.  The  total  draft  for  the  five-year  period,  1921  to  1925,  has 
probably  been  about  175,000  acre-feet.  The  total  run-off  of  White 
Creek  for  the  same  period  has  probably  not  exceeded  20,000  acre-feet. 
The  remaining  draft  could  be  supplied  from  the  lowering  of  the 
ground  water  over  the  gross  area  that  has  occurred  with  a  drainage 
factor  of  12.5  per  cent.  This  is  about  the  value  of  the  drainage  factor 
found  for  the  similar  Shaffer,  Wasco  and  McFarland  area  and  indi- 
cates that  nearly  all  of  the  puin]>ing  draft  has  been  supplied  by  ground 
water  lowering  within  the  area  rathei'  than  by  replenishment  from 
outside  sources.  The  deficiency  in  the  run-oft'  of  White  Creek  during 
this  period  amounts  to  less  than  10  per  cent  of  this  draft. 

The  pumping  draft  in  1925  was  nearly  50,000  acre-feet,  the  esti- 
mated mean  annual  run-oft'  of  White  Creek  is  al)Out  one-eighth  of 
this  amount.  With  only  one-fifth  of  the  area  under  irrigation  giving 
a  draft  eight  times  the  estimated  available  supply,  it  is  not  difficult 
to  forecast  the  future  course  of  the  ground  water  in  this  area  if  the 
present  rate  of  draft  is  maintained. 

The  preceding  discussion  has  been  based  on  average  fluctuations  for 
the  whole  area.  The  pumping  development  is  not  evenly  distributed. 
The  main  irrigated  area  extends  eastward  from  the  line  between 
D(>Ian()  and  Earlimart.  The  lowering  here  has  been  mnch  larger  than 
the  average  as  shown  on  Map  No.  3.     To  the  west  the  lowering  has 


112 


Department  of  Public  Woy^l-s. 


WELL  KERN-32. 
Shallow  well  northwest  of  Delano. 


15 
20 
25 
30 


192 

:i 

♦ — 

1 
1920 

*—  — 

192 

• 

6 

1925 

1924 

WELL  KERN- 13.     Five  miles  east  of  Delano. 


145 
150 
155 
160 


o 

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r 

3 

IKh 

C 

170 

3 

O 

Ol 

175 

E 

o 

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t- 

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195 

4 

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1925 



♦ 

WELL  W-27.     West  of  main  pumping  area. 


— 

4-^— 

~0  — 

19 

I9'20_ 

— 

192 

• 

6 

— 1 

1924 

i 

55 
60 
65 
70 
75 
80 


WELL  W-30.     In  pumping  area 
3  miles  east  of  Earlimart 


^: 

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^ 

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2  -1      O 

3  2     ^ 
->      -'     < 


I-  >  o 
O  O  "J 
O       2      Q 


WELL  X-21. 
Near  White  Creek  and  east  of  pumping  area. 


80 

85 

90 

95 

100 

105 

110 


— ♦- 

—15?^ 

1921 

— 

— 0- 

— . 

— 0 

1922 

1924 

* 

♦,^ 

^ 

♦■V 

♦ 

^ 

N 

s^925 

,^^ 

120 

125 


175 
180 
185 
190 
195 


90 

95 

100 


WELL  Z-1.     Three  miles  west  of  Ducor 
in  area  without  pumping. 


♦  - 

-  , 

.I9p     ... 

1921 

1922r 

\ 

)26 

— 

—  ♦• 

E:;rr^ 

""T^ 

l^k 

■ 

1 

\ 

WELL  Z-5. 
Abandoned  oil  well  at  eastern  edge  ol  valley. 


•*^ 

^^ 

IS 

^ 

^ 

^ 

-• 

1922 

1924 

WELL  X-33.     Five  miles  east  of  Earlimart 
above  main  pumping  area. 


1926 


l^S 


♦<v 


z      m 

<         UJ 

-t       u. 


or  oc  >; 
<  a.  < 
5      <     2 


Z  J  O  o-  >-  >  O 
D  3  3  W  O  O  U 
.,       ->       <       (0       O       z      o 


LEGEND. 


1924— a  ■ 
1925 -♦• 
1926  - 


FIG.  20.    Hydrographs  of  typical   wells   in    White   Creek   Area. 


Ground   Water  Resources,  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.     113 

been  iiiucli  less.  East  of  the  main  i)umping  area  in  township  24  south, 
range  27  east,  the  area  irrigfatcd  is  more  scattered  and  tlie  lowering, 
whihi  greater  tliaii  tliat  west  ol'  tlic  main  area,  is  less  than  that  in  the 
more;  heavily  pnmix'tl  portion. 

Ilydrographs  of  typieal  wells  are  shown  in  Fig.  20.  Well  W-27 
is  west  of  the  ])umping  area.  Tjowering  has  oeeiirred  in  all  years, 
although  the  amount  is  much  less  tlian  that  to  the  east  in  tlie  pumping 
area  as  shown  hy  Well  AV-30.  AVell  W-27  shows  little  fluetuation 
during  eaeh  season.  A  gradual  hiii  continuous  lowering  has  occurred 
in  each  year.  Well  W-80  shows  the  effect  of  the  heavy  local  draft 
•'luring  tlie  summer  with  the  recovery  during  the  winter  season.  The 
lowering  in  all  years  has  exceeded  the  recovery;  the  net  lowering  has 
averaged  over  3  feet  per  year.  The  recovery  shown  begins  as  soon  as 
pumping  is  reduced  in  the  fall  and  represents  ground  water  adjust- 
ments between  the  areas  heavily  i)umped  and  those  of  lighter  draft 
rather  than  any  outside  source  of  supply.  This  is  shown  by  well 
X-21,  which  is  2  miles  further  east  and  along  the  course  of  White 
Creek.  Well  X-21  continued  to  drop  in  1920  and  ]921  after  Well 
W-30  had  begun  to  rise.  Well  X-21  showed  recovery  in  the  latter 
]>art  of  1925.  This  followed  iaiger  lowering  during  the  early  part 
of  1925  and  reflects  the  increase  in  pumjiing  near  Well  X-21  between 
1921  and  1925. 

Well  Z-1  is  located  in  an  area  of  very  little  draft.  It  shows  similar 
fluctuations  to  Well  W-27  west  of  the  area  of  pumping.  A  slow  but 
r-ontinuous  lowering  occurred  in  Well  Z-1.  These  four  wells  illus- 
trate the  dift'erence  in  fluctuations  due  to  pumping  draft.  Wells 
AV-27  and  Z-1  outside  of  pumping  areas  have  lowered  less  than  10 
feet  from  1920  to  1925.  Wells  W-30  and  X-21  within  or  near  pump- 
ing areas  have  lowered  Iti  to  26  feet.  The  lowering  in  wells  ¥7-27 
and  Z-1  is  probably  largely  due  to  the  pumping  rather  than  the 
deficient  run-oft'  of  tliese  years,  as  they  showed  about  the  same  amount 
of  lowering  in  the  very  dry  year  of  1924  as  in  the  other  seasons. 
These  comparisons  indicate  that  the  lowering  that' has  occurred  is  the 
result  of  iMimping  rather  than  of  the  less  than  normal  rainfall  for 
111  is  period. 

Well  Z-5  is  an  abandoned  oil  well  in  section  34,  township  24  south, 
range  27  east.  It  is  deeper  than  the  irrigation  wells  but  shows  similar 
lowering.  Well  X-33  was  drilled  for  irrigation  in  1920,  water  stand- 
ing at  80  feet.  It  has  not  been  used,  but  a  lowering  of  17  feet  has 
occurred.  This  well  is  to  the  east  of  the  main  pumping  area  adjacent 
to  Earliiiuirt. 

There  has  been  discussion  in  tliis  area  as  to  whether  the  irrigation 
^v•ells  400  to  500  feet  deep  would  show  the  same  character  of  fluctua- 
tion as  the  shallow  wells.  Wells  W-27,  AV-30,  X-21  and  Z-1  are  not 
as  deep  as  the  irrigation  wells  now  being  more  generally  used.  Wells 
Z-5  and  X-33  represent  deeper  wells.  Another  well,  X-46,  in  section 
30,  township  24  south,  range  26  east,  1200  feet  deep,  had  water  at  a 
depth  of  112  feet  when  drilled  in  April,  1925.  The  water  stood  at  a 
depth  of  124  feet  in  Fel)ruary,  1926,  the  plant  being  idle  at  the  time 
of  reading. 

8—47076 


114  Deparimeni  of  Public   Works. 

In  BulU'tin  .),  prepared  in  1!)L*-I.  the  rollowing  statement  was  made: 

"The  conditions  existing-  in  this  area  should  make  it  obvious  that 
only  limited  pum|)intr  drafts  can  l)e  made  without  serious  lowering 
of  the  grouml  water.  The  distance  from  any  dependable  source  of 
recharge  and  the  .sensitiveness  of  the  ground  water  to  draft  as  shown 
by  the  1021  records,  nmke  it  evident  that  pumping  in  this  area  is 
drawing  mainly  on  reserve  of  ground  water  which  has  lieen  accumu- 
lated over  an  indefinitely  long  period.  When  once  depleted  by  pump- 
ing, a  similarly  long  i)eriod  will  be  required  for  the  refilling  of  the 
gi-Gund  water  storage.  A  continuation  of  the  present  rate  of  draft 
can  only  be  expected  to  result  in  the  lowering  of  the  ground  water  to 
depths  from  which  pumping  -will  no  longer  be  profitable.  Every  etf'ort 
should  be  made  to  discourage  additional  development  in  this  area,  as 
it  can  only  lessen  the  i)eriod  of  time  before  this  condition  occurs." 

The  additional  records  that  have  become  available  since  the  above 
quotation  was  written  have  served  to  emphasi/e  the  statements  made. 
Move  favorable  seasons  of  rainfall  can  not  be  expected  to  result  in 
any  material  change  in  the  rate  of  lowering.  A  continuation  of  the 
present  rate  of  draft  can  only  result  in  a  continuation  of  the  ground 
water  lowering. 

If  the  present  extent  of  development  has  resulted  in  the  conditions 
described,  any  increase  in  development  can  only  shorten  the  time  when 
the  extent  of  lowering  will  so  increase  the  resulting  pumping  lift  that 
pumping  will  not  be  profitable.  The  interests  of  those  now  pumping 
will  be  best  served  by  discouraging  additional  development  and  l)y 
limiting  the  draft  to  the  amounts  of  water  required  under  careful 
practice. 


Ground    Wafer   h'rsoiirres,   SokUk  ru    Sa)i   Joaquin    Valley.     115 

ClIAl'TEK   V. 

GROUND  WATER  IN  KERN  COUNTY  AREAS. 

Ground  water  conditions  in  arcjis  fuljacenl  to  Kern  liiVer  were  dis- 
cnssed  in  Bulletin  9  of  the  State  Department  of  Enjjrineerino- 
based  on  investiijations  made  durino-  1920.  Ground  water  observa- 
tions have  also  bi^en  made  l)y  the  Kern  County  Land  Company  and 
sinee  its  organization  by  tlie  Kern  River  Water  Storage  District. 
These  records  are  fairly  complete  for  the  period  1920  to  date.  Less 
extensive  records  have  also  been  furnished  by  other  owners.  The 
availability  of  this  material  has  enabled  a  much  more  complete 
analysis  of  the  yround  water  conditions  in  this  area  to  be  made  than 
would  have  otherwise  been  possible  within  the  limitations  of  time 
available  in  the  preparation  of  this  report.  The  great  assi.stance 
received  from  all  of  these  agencies  is  gratefvdly  acknowledged. 

Rates   of   Pumping    Draft. 

In  1920  and  in  192Jr-25  the  area  irrigated  l)y  [jumping  and  the 
amount  of  draft  were  secured  by  a  canvass  of  all  i)umping  plants. 
The  pumping  draft  was  secured  by  direct  measurement  where  feasible, 
by  power  consumjition.  lift  and  estimated  or  measured  efficiency,  or 
ba.sed  on  general  data.  The  residting  estimates  are  considered  to  be 
fjurly  representative  of  the  actual  draft  and  to  exceed  the  draft  rather 
than  the  reverse. 

F'or  the  Shaffer,  Wasco  and  ^IcFarland  areas,  the  1920  results  gave 
an  estimated  average  draft  of  3.3  acre-feet  per  acre.  The  correspond- 
ing figure  foi'  1!)25  was  4.0  acre-feet  per  acre.  In  1920  an  average 
draft  of  3.0  acri^-feet  was  found  for  lands  al)ove  tiie  Kast  Side  Canal. 
Ill  l!)2r)  the  draft  under  th(>  Kast  Side  Canal  is  reported  as  3.7  acre- 
feet  per  acre.  Both  of  these  results  are  in  excess  of  the  water  require- 
ments of  similar  crops  as  determined  from  canal  practice  and  mate- 
rially exceed  the  consumptive  use  found  under  similar  conditions  in 
other  areas.  While  the  figures  may  be  somewhat  liberal,  it  is  thought 
that  ajiproximately  these  amounts  were  actually  pumped. 

These  figures,  as  well  as  those  in  other  areas,  indicate  the  relatively 
heavy  rate  of  pumping  usually  practiced  where  ground  water  is  avail- 
able at  any  time  its  use  is  desired.  These  results  do  not  mean  that 
all  of  the  water  used  is  utilized  by  the  crops  as  losses  occur  under 
pump  irrigation  similar  to  those  under  canal  practice.  Seepage  from 
farm  canals  occurs.  With  i)umpitig  plants  on  each  farni  the  length  of 
conveyance  is  relatively  small  l)nt  the  rate  of  loss  may  be  large  due 
to  the  small  stream.  Material  losses  may  occur  from  earth  reservoirs. 
'J'he  percolation  losses  from  the  field  applications  are  also  large  where 
heavy  ii-rigations  are  api)lied. 

The  estimated  draft  given  is  considered  to  be  representative  of  the 
water  i-emoved  from  the  ground  but  is  not  regarded  as  representative 
of  the  actual  gi'ound  water  depletion.  Such  permanent  depletion  will 
be  represented  t)y  the  plant  transpiration  and  the  evaporaiion  only, 
which  for  the  conditions  prevailing  in  these  areas  will  be  much  less 
than   the   figures   given   for   gross   draft.      The   amounts   of   the   con- 


116  Department  of  Public  Works. 

sninptive  use  as  indicated  by  records  for  areas  where  the  available 
data  permits  of  its  separate  determination  are  discussed  elsewhere. 
The  gross  draft  may  also  be  the  net  draft  in  the  earlier  years  of 
pumping  until  the  downward  movement  of  moisture  losses  has  become 
sufficient  in  amount  to  reach  and  join  the  ground  water.  When  this 
has  occured,  pumping  in  excess  of  moisture  use  by  transpiration  and 
evaporation  represents  merely  a  circulation  of  ground  water  rather 
than  a  consumption. 

In  1920  a  total  area  of  58,250  acres  was  served  by  pumping  plants 
in  Kern  County.  In  1925,  this  had  increased  to  100.000  acres,  or  an 
increase  of  over  50  per  cent  in  five  years.  The  largest  increase  in  the 
area  served  by  pumping  occurred  in  the  Shafter,  Wasco  and  McFar- 
land  area  and  southeast  of  Bakersfield,  both  above  and  below  the 
East  Side  Canal. 

The  United  Stat&s  CensiLS  of  1910  reports  6387  acres  as  supplied  by 
pumps  or  flowing  wells  in  Kern  County.  The  report  of  the  Cali- 
fornia Conservation  Commission  for  1912  gives  12.240  acres  supplied 
1)3^  ground  water.  The  area  in  1920  was  nearly  five  times  that  in  1912. 
The  observations  of  the  effects  of  this  rapidly  increasing  draft  on 
the  ground  water  enable  the  limitations  of  the  ground  water  supply 
to  be  discussed  with  more  detail  than  would  be  possible  with  less 
development.  As  in  other  general  valley  areas  such  discussion  can  be 
more  conveniently  arranged  by  subdivision  of  the  area  into  smallar 
parts. 

The  ground  water  contours  for  the  entire  area  are  shown  on  INIap 
No.  1.  These  show  the  direction  of  slope  of  the  ground  water.  Ground 
water  movement  occurs  mainly  at  right  angles  to  the  ground  water 
contours.  IMap  No.  2  shows  the  depths  to  ground  water.  These  repre- 
sent the  ground  water  without  drawdown  while  pumping.  The  actual 
pumping  lift  will  exceed  the  depths  shown  on  ^lap  No.  2  by  the 
amount  of  the  drawdown.  The  amount  of  the  drawdown  varies  with 
the  coarseness  of  the  materials  and  the  rate  of  draft.  In  most  parts 
of  this  area  good  discharges  are  secured  with  a  drawdown  not  exceed- 
ing about  20  feet.  In  some  areas  drawdown  of  twice  this  amount 
may  occur  under  large  draft.  >\lap  No.  3  shows  the  amount  of  low- 
ering of  the  ground  water  that  has  occurred  from  1920  to  1925. 

GROUND   WATER    IN    AREA   ABOVE  THE   EAST   SIDE   CANAL. 

This  area  includes  all  land  above  the  area  covered  by  the  East  Side 
Canal  area.  It  includes  all  development  from  Edison  to  Arvin  and 
Rock  Pile.     Ground  water  is  the  only  source  of  water  supply. 

Caliente  Creek  is  the  only  stream  of  consequence  tributary  to  this 
area.  In  Bulletin  9,  based  on  data  available  in  1920,  the  mean 
annual  run-off  of  Caliente  Creek  was  estimated  to  be  35,000  acre-feet. 
No  additional  measurements  have  been  made  since  1920.  Comparison 
v/ith  other  streams  does  not  furnish  any  basis  for  changing  the  previ- 
ous estimate. 

Kern  River  flows  north  of  this  area,  a  ridge  of  Tertiar\^  material, 
usually  referred  to  locally  as  Kern  ]\lesa.  occupying  the  intervening 


Ground  Water  Resources,  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.     117 

area.  The  river  is  from  100  to  200  feet  higher  than  the  ground  water 
south  of  the  mesa.  Even  with  this  difference  in  elevation  there  is 
nothing  in  any  data  available  to  indicate  ground  water  movement 
througli  the  mesa.  The  records  on  Kern  River  indicate  a  gain  rather 
than  a  loss  in  its  channel  above  First  Point  of  Measurement.  The 
gi-ound  water  south  of  the  mesa  has  very  little  slope  to  the  south  as 
it  would  be  expected  to  luive  if  a  material  supply  came  from  the  nortli. 
Some  movement  may  occur  around  the  point  of  the  mesa  at  Bakers- 
field  into  the  northern  })art  of  this  area,  but  such  movement  is  proba- 
bly small  in  amount.  Well  5-G-17,  Fig.  21,  in  the  mesa  shows  no 
response  to  either  river  or  canal  conditions. 

Wells  in  this  area  vary  from  100  to  600  feet  deep.  The  wells  serving 
larger  areas  are  usually  from  800  to  600  feet  deep,  deep-well  turbine 
pumps  being  used. 

Water-bearing  material  of  coarse  texture  resulting  in  wells  of  large 
yield  is  generally  found  in  the  main  developed  area  in  township  31 
south,  range  29  east.  Wells  in  the  southern  portion  of  this  area  need 
to  be  deeper  in  order  to  secure  similar  yields.  Owing  to  the  coarse- 
ness of  the  material,  relatively  small  drawdown  occurs  while  pump- 
ing even  with  large  discharges. 

Analyses  of  water  made  in  1920  show  good  quality  in  the  wells  in 
the  main  pumping  area  near  Arvin.  The  quality  of  water  from  wells 
along  the  mesa  at  the  north  end  of  the  area  varies  with  the  depth  of 
the  well.  The  surface  water  strata  contain  sodium  sulphate  and 
gypsum.  Wells  perforated  only  in  the  second  and  tliird  strata  show 
a  much  smaller  amount  of  these  salts. 

The  general  ground  water  in  this  area  had  little  slope  prior  to 
extensive  pumping.  There  Avas  a  total  fall  of  about  5  feet  from  the 
east  toward  the  west  in  1920.  This  indicates  a  relatively  free  move- 
ment of  ground  water  within  the  area,  a  condition  which  is  also  shown 
by  the  material  encountered  in  drilling  and  the  large  discharges 
secured  from  wells  Avith  relatively  small  drawdown. 

Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  are  shown  in  Fig.  21.  Well  6-H-3 
is  located  at  the  north  of  the  larger  area  of  pumping.  The  well  was 
drilled  to  a  depth  of  278  feet  in  1912,  water  standing  at  212  feet.  This 
has  lowered  to  216  feet  in  1920  and  231  feet  in  1925.  The  lowering 
in  recent  years  has  been  steady  with  little  rapid  fluctuation  due  to 
either  draft  or  recharge. 

AVell  7-II-1,  320  feet  deep,  is  within  the  heavily  pumped  area  and 
illustrates  the  difficulty  in  securing  records  free  from  the  local  effect 
of  i)umping.  A  13-foot  lowering  from  1920  to  1925  is  shown. 
Well  7-11-9  is  a  shallow  well  just  beyond  the  end  of  the  East  Side 
Canal.  Little  fluctuation  except  a  steady  lowering  is  shown.  There 
is  not  much  pumping  near  this  well. 

Well  7-1-1  is  near  the  east  side  of  the  area  and  above  the  main 
pumping  area.  Lowering  of  nearly  20  feet  from  1920  to  1925  is  shown. 
Well  7-1-3  is  nearer  the  pumping  area.  This  well  was  not  observed 
prior  to  1924.     Steady  lowering  is  shown. 


LIS 


c 

3 
O 
1. 


a. 


Drpartmcvf  of  PiihJic   Works. 

WELL  7-H-l.     Near  center  ol  area. 


30 

34 
38 

238 
240 

245 

260 

255 
260 

115 
120 
125 

215 
220 
225 
230 
235 


WELL  7-H-9.     I\lea.-  end  of  East  Side  CanaL 


-1925- 

— ■ 

>a— M 

1924 

=a=:— 

192^        '^ 

=^= 

^ 

' 

— ^^ 

.» — - 

WELL  7-1-1.    Above  and  east  of  main  pumping  area. 


"^ 

t  — 

~\ 

•^ 

1920 

,.t^ 

,y 

■>•■ 

»~ 

► . 

1925 

^ 

~1924" 

-•a—™ 

-a  ■^— 

1926 

— 

■♦— -— 

"♦-- 

-♦ 

WELL  7-1-3.     Near  pumping  area. 


-— 

~~ — ■♦ 

""    "^1 

J925^ 

a. 

,1924 

— i— ■* 

-ft—— 

— &— ^ 

1926 



' 

WELL  6-H-3.     Nortti  of  main  pumping  area. 


-• !♦■ 


1926 


X 


1925 


X: 


^=M 


/- 


1924 


165    i_r 
170 


WELL  5-6-17.     In  Kern  River  mesa. 


^^ 


1926 


♦— — H 


T 


-1924- 


»      ) 
1925  ' 


.♦ .. 


JAN.       FEB.     MAR.     APR.      MAY      JuN.      JUL.      AUG.     SEP.      OCT.      NOV.     DEC. 

LEGEND. 

1924  — -a- a —  1926^ — ■ 

FIG.  21.    Hydrographs  of  typical   wells   In   the   area   above  the    East 

Side    Canal. 


Ground    ^y(l^(r   lu sources,   Fiouilurn    Smi   Joaquin    Valley.     \V^ 

Tlie  11)25  crop  census  for  the  area  aliovc  tlic  East  Side  Canal  gave 
the  following  results: 

Crop  Total  acres  Per  cent  of  total  area 

Cotton     --  6,993  40 

Field    crops 543  3 

Alfalfa    480  3 

Orchard    2,950  17 

(Jrapes    ___-- 5,863  34 

Garden    439  2 

Melons    44 

Miscellaneous    --         125  1 

Totals    17,437  100 

This  includes  all  area  above  the  eanal.  Four-tifths  of  the  area  irri- 
gated is  south  of  the  center  line  of  township  30  south.  The  gross  area 
above  the  East  Side  Canal  extending  around  the  edge  of  the  adjacent 
hill  areas  to  the  south  line  of  township  31  south  is  about  55,000  acres. 
Present  development  represents  about  one-third  of  this  gross  area. 

The  total  pumping  draft  for  these  lands  was  not  secured  in  1925. 
Data  secured  in  1920  indicated  an  average  draft  of  2.8  acre-feet  per 
acre.  Some  incomplete  data  in  1925  indicate  that  the  present  gross 
draft  is  fully  as  large  i)er  acre  as  in  1920.  The  rate  of  pumping  is 
sufficiently  large  in  many  instances  to  exceed  the  crop  consumption 
and  downward  moisture  loss  will  occur.  Similar  rates  of  application 
under  canals  have  always  resulted  in  additions  of  the  ground  water 
usually  accompanied  by  a  rise  of  the  water  table.  As  the 
ground  water  is  relatively  deep  under  most  of  this  area  and 
overlaid  by  dry  materials,  the  length  of  time  water  has  been  used 
on  some  lands  may  not  have  been  sufficient  to  result  in  the  downward 
moisture  movement  reaching  the  ground  water,  but  for  permanent 
conditions  the  actual  draft  on  the  ground  water  will  be  represented 
by  the  net  crop  use  rather  than  ])y  the  gross  amounts  pumped. 

The  larger  part  of  the  flow  of  Caliente  Creek  sinks  in  its  channel 
before  reaching  the  valley  areas.  Well  6-1-8  is  ad.jacent  to  the  course 
of  Caliente  Creek  as  it  enters  this  ai-ea.  Water  stands  at  a  depth 
of  about  125  feet  in  this  well.  A  dug  well  over  50  feet  deep  in  the 
creek  bottom  near  Bena  has  not  had  water  in  it  in  recent  years. 

In  the  latter  part  of  April  and  in  May,  1926,  unusually  heavy  local 
storms  occurred  in  the  foothill  areas  adjacent  to  Bakersfield.  One 
of  these  occurred  on  the  lower  drainage  area  of  Caliente  Creek  and 
resulted  in  a  larger  flood  run-oflP  of  short  duration  than  has  occurred 
in  recent  years.  The  well  records  for  tliis  period  were  examined  to 
determine  tiie  effect,  if  any,  of  this  run-off  on  the  ground  water.  The 
wells  were  read  about  April  23  and  May  23  in  1926.  The  change 
during  this  period  in  1926  was  compared  with  the  change  between 
similar  dates  in  previous  years.  For  ten  wells  situated  adjacent  to 
and  in  the  direction  of  movement  from  Caliente  Creek  the  ground 
water  averaged  to  hold  its  elevation  in  1926  where  in  other  years  an 
average  lowering  of  0.4  foot  occurred.  Some  of  this  difference  is  due 
to  decreased  draft  resulting  from  tlie  decrease  in  pumping  following 
the  rains.  The  area  att'ected  did  not  exceed  20,000  acres.  The  total 
difference  would  not  represent  over  2000  acre-feet  of  water.  Well 
6-1-3  adjacent  to  Caliente  Creek  showed  no  change  during  this  period. 
These   I'csulls   illustrate  the  small   aiiuiunt    of  actual  run-off  produced 


120  Department  of  Public  Works. 

by  suddoii  heavy  storms  of  limited  area  even  thoiigli  the  temporary 
nin-oti:'  may  be  rapid. 

Owing  to  the  rapid  development  that  has  occurred  in  this  area  since 
1920.  many  of  the  wells  observed  in  1920  are  in  use  for  pumping  or 
not  available  for  direct  observation  for  various  reasons  so  that  direct 
(^omi)arisons  are  not  as  readily  made.  However,  the  ground  water 
r-ontours  in  1920  can  be  compared  with  those  for  1925.  This  has  been 
done  on  ]\Iap  No.  3,  which  shows  the  lowering  that  has  occurred  in 
the  last  five  years.  Direct  observations  are  available  for  the  lowering 
in  1925.  The  lowering  averaged  about  3  feet  over  the  gross  area  of 
50,000  acres.  This  is  eciuivalent  to  a  ground  water  depletion  of  about 
30,000  acre-feet  of  water.  The  run-otie  of  Caliente  Creek  in  1924-25 
was  not  measured,  but  judged  by  comparison  with  other  streams, 
Would  have  been  about  10  per  cent  of  normal,  or  about  14,000  acre- 
feet.  This  indicates  a  total  supply  used  of  about  44,000  acre-feet 
or  about  2.5  acre-feet  per  acre.  This  appears  high  and  is  larger 
than  the  probable  crop  consumption.  It  is  considered  to  be  due  to 
the  fact  that  downward  moisture  penetration  from  tlie  newly  devel- 
oped and  heavily  irrigated  areas  lias  not  yet  reached  the  ground  water. 

The  comparison  of  tlie  contours  for  1920  and  1925  shows  a  maxi- 
mum lowering  of  about  20  feet  for  the  five-year  period.  The  maxi- 
mum depletion  occurred  in  the  area  of  heaviest  pumping  near  Arvin. 
A  lowering  of  15  feet  occurred  in  the  area  of  larger  development  in 
township  31  south.  A  lowering  of  between  10  and  15  feet  oecurred 
between  this  area  and  Edison.  Against  the  edge  of  the  mesa  the 
lowering  varied  from  15  feet  near  Edison  to  25  feet  nearer  Bakersfield. 
These  changes  have  resulted  in  a  reversal  of  the  ground  water  slope 
since  1920.  Instead  of  a  slight  slope  from  the  upper  eastern  edge  of 
the  area  to  the  East  Side  Canal,  a  cone  of  depression  now  exists  under 
the  heavily  pumped  area  in  township  31  south  Avith  the  ground  water 
sloping  into  this  area  from  all  sides. 

The  run-off  during  recent  years  has  been  below  normal  and  the  low- 
ering of  the  ground  water  that  has  occurred  may  be  due  to  deficiency 
in  supply  as  well  as  to  the  rate  of  draft.  The  present  acreage  wnth 
a  net  crop  use  of  2  acre-feet  per  acre  would  result  in  a  total  net  draft 
about  equal  to  the  estimated  mean  annual  run-off  of  Caliente  Creek. 
Some  outward  movement  of  ground  water  into  the  area  under  the 
East  Side  Canal  probably  occurs  so  that  unless  this  can  be  intercepted 
by  the  pumping  above  the  eanal,  not  all  of  the  run-off  of  Caliente 
Creek  will  be  available.  The  estimated  im^an  annual  run-off  of  Caliente 
Creek  is  based  on  incomplete  data  and  may  be  larger  tlian  the  actual 
.supply.  As  the  deeper  wells  under  the  East  Side  Canal  appear  to  be  only 
indirectly  affected  by  use  under  the  canal  little  movement  of  ground 
water  into  the  area  above  the  canal  is  to  be  expected  even  with  additional 
lowering  and  increased  ground  water  slope  from  the  East  Side  Canal 
into  the  area  of  heavy  pumping. 

Present  development  in  this  area  appears  to  be  fully  as  large  as  the 
available  water  supply  can  sui)port.  An  increase  in  the  draft  would 
be  expected  to  result  in  a  continued  lowering  of  the  ground  water 
even  in  years  of  average  run-off.  The  high  lifts  now  required  in  this 
area  will  reduce  the  amount  of  further  lowering  than  can  occur  with- 


Ground  Water  Resources,  Soufhern  San  Joaquin  Valley.     121 

nut  resultini?  in  excessive  costs.  It  is  considered  that  present  draft  is 
more  liable  to  be  in  excess  of  the  supply  than  the  reverse  and  lowering 
over  a  period  of  average  years  would  probably  occur  even  with  the 
present  rate  of  draft.  As  only  one-third  of  the  fi'ross  area  is  now 
irrifiated,  the  development  of  any  large  part  of  the  remaining  area 
can  only  be  expected  to  result  in  a  more  rapid  lowering  of  the  ground 
water. 

GROUND  WATER   IN   EAST  SIDE  CANAL   AREA. 

Ground  water  conditions  in  tlie  general  area  southeast  of  Bakers- 
field  dit¥er  above  and  below  the  East  Side  Canal  due  to  the  effect  of 
the  canal.  The  East  Side  Canal  area  as  here  discussed  consists  of  the 
land  adjacent  to  the  East  Side  Canal.  It  extends  about  1  mile  to  the 
oast  above  the  canal  and  to  the  alkali  area  west  of  the  canal.  This 
area  agrees  with  that  used  by  the  Kern  River  Water  Storage  Distmct  in 
its  analyses  and  has  been  adopted  in  order  that  their  summaries  could 
be  used  without  recomputation.  The  irrigated  lands  depend  in  some 
cases  entirely  on  canal  service  and  in  others  entirely  on  pumping  with 
much  land  using  both  sources  of  supply. 

The  water  supply  of  this  area  consists  of  the  delivery  to  the  East 
Side  Canal  plus  any  ground  water  movement  from  Caliente  Creek  or 
Kern  River  sources.  Ground  water  derived  from  Caliente  Creek 
would  reach  this  area,  particularly  the  lower  strata,  unless  intercepted 
l)y  higher  pumping.  Little  if  any  movement  from  Kern  River  would 
be  expected.  A  small  amount  of  such  movement  might  occur  around 
the  point  of  the  mesa  at  the  north  end,  the  ground  water  depression 
in  the  alkali  area  between  the  East  Side  and  Kern  Island  Canal  areas, 
as  shown  on  Map  No.  1,  indicates  that  movement  from  the  west  into 
the  East  Side  Canal  area  does  not  occur. 

Outward  ground  water  movement  from  the  area  probably  occurs 
into  the  area  of  high  ground  water  to  the  west.  Loss  by  evaporation 
from  the  area  to  the  west  is  indicated  by  the  shallow  depth  to  ground 
water  and  the  alkali  character  of  the  land. 

Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  are  shown  in  Pig.  22.  Well  6-H-5  is 
representative  of  the  deeper  wells  and  shows  the  lowering  during  the 
pumping  season  and  rcovery  during  the  winter.  Well  6-H-7  is 
typical  of  shallow  wells  atfected  by  flow  in  the  East  Side  Canal.  The 
<:round  water  in  this  well  is  highest  in  the  summer  and  lowest  in  the 
Avinter.  oi-  tlie  reverse  of  the  deeper  wells. 

The  largest  lowering  of  the  ground  water  since  1921  has  occurred 
at  the  nortli  end  of  the  area.  Larger  lowerings  have  also  occurred  in 
the  area  along  and  above  the  canal  than  in  the  area  below  the  canal 
as  shown  on  Map  No.  3.  In  some  areas  below  the  canal  an  actual  rise 
has  occurred. 

The  data  covering  areas  irrigated,  canal  deliver}-  and  ground  water 
supply  are  given  in  the  following  table.  The  areas  served  by  canals 
are  taken  from  the  Cannl  Company's  record  for  each  year:  the  areas 
served  li\-  luimping  were  secured  in  1919,  1920  and  1925,  the  remain- 
ing years  being  interpolated.  The  canal  supply  is  the  gross  delivery 
into  the  East  Side  Canal.  The -ground  water  fluctuations  are  from 
October  of  each  year  and  are  available  only  since  1920.     The  average 


122 


Department  of  Piihlic  Works. 


trround   water  fluctuations   include   the   results   from   both   deep   and 
shallow  wells. 

The  service  under  the  East  Side  Canal  is  secured  under  water  rights 
of  early  priority  and  does  not  vary  widely  with  the  total  flow  in  Kern 
Kivcr.  The  supply  per  acre  of  canal  service  only  has  averaged  4.3 
acre-feet  per  acre  per  year  for  the  last  seven  years  and  fell  below  4.0 
acre-feet   per  acre   only   in    1924,   when   2.8  acre-feet   per  acre   were 

WELL  6-H-5.     Deep  well  under  East  Side  Canal. 


« 
u 

IS 


in 

■o 
c 

3 

o 


i 

o 


a. 

V 

O 


15 


20 


25 


WELL  6-H-7.    Shallow  well  under  East  Side  Canal. 


1926 


1925 


1920 


.-ii: 


J  924 


JAN. 


FEB. 


MAR. 


APR.  MAY  JUN  JUL. 


AUG.         SEP.         OCT. 


NOV. 


DEC. 


1920  — -*- 
1924  — />• 


LEGEND. 

-♦—      1925 
-A-       1926' 


FIG.    22.    Hydrographs    of    typical    wells    under    East    Side    Canal. 

received.  These  figures  include  canal  losses  as  well  as  delivery  to  the 
land :  conveyance  losses  have  been  from  25  to  40  per  cent  of  the  total 
supply. 

The  area  served  entirely  by  pumps  under  the  canal  has  been  increas- 
ing, having  more  than  doubled  since  1919.  In  1919  the  pumping  area 
was  about  one-half  that  usually  served  by  canals;  in  1925  the  pump 
area  exceeded  the  canal  area.  This  relative  increase  of  the  pumped 
area  in  proportion  to  the  canal  served  area  probably  is  the  main  cause 


(irdtiiul    Water   h'rsoKrccs,   Soidlnrii    Sail   Joaquin   Valley.     123 

I'oi-  the  .mvatrr  liround  wattT  lown-in^-  in  1M25.  A  similar  rate  of 
increase  has  oeeurred  in  the  punipin<i  area  adjacent  to  but  above  the 
canal    until    in    V.)2r>   the   total    pumping   area   that    may    be   partially 

Records  of  Use  of  Water  and  Ground  Water  Fluctuations  Under  East  Side  Canal. 

Aver<i(jr  rise 

Area  Irrigated — Acres  or  fall  of 

I'nder  canal  Canal  water  siipply  f/rovnd 

From        B}/ pumps        Outside  Acre-  Acre-feet         water 

Year        canal  only  piitiips  only  total  feet  per  acre*        in  feet** 

1919 6,005  2,720  1.615  10.340  25,180  2.43  

1920 5,408  3,379  2,760  11,547  25,154  2.18  

1921 4,966  4.000  3,260  12,226  24.469  2.02  —   .50 

1922 5,750  4,630  3,580  13,960  26,583  1.90  —  .54 

1923 5,821  5.260  3,760  14,840  26,405  1.78  —  .57 

1924 5,941  5,870  3,930  15,740  16,510  1.05  —  .91 

1925 5.878  6,600  4,080  16.560  25,726  1.55  — 1.15 

*  Based  on   total  area  of  canal  and  pump  service. 
**Include.s   both   deep   and   shallow   wells. 

ilepeiident  on  the  l^^ast  Si(U'  Canal  for  its  ground  water  supply  was 
nearly  twice  that  served  l)y  the  canal.  The  canal  supply  in  1925  was 
about  the  average  supply  received  by  this  canal.  A  lowering  of  over 
1  foot  occurred,  although  only  one-half  of  the  gross  area  was  cropped. 
This  would  indicate  that  present  development  in  this  area  exceeds  the 
average  water  supply. 

The  water  supply  received  by  this  area  in  any  year  may  be  used  by 
the  crops  or  soil  evaporation  or  may  move  outward  from  the  area  as 
ground  water  tiow.  Any  balance  between  the  elements  of  supply  and 
use  will  be  reflected  in  the  ground  water  tiuctuations.  The  variations 
in  the  crop  area  and  water  supply  in  different  years  are  not  sufficient 
to  enable  all  of  these  elements  to  be  separately  determined.  How- 
ever, by  assuming  rates  of  consumptive  use  and  the  drainage  factor 
represented  by  the  ground  water  fluctuations,  the  outward  ground 
water  movement  can  be  approximated.  This  has  been  done  in  the 
following  table.  The  consumptive  use  has  been  estimated  as  2.0  acre- 
feet  per  acre  and  the  average  drainage  factor  as  18  per  cent. 

Estitnatcd  Resultiiif/ 

Total  water  Estimated  change  in  unaccounted 

supply,  crop  use,  {/round  water  for  supply. 

Year                              acre-feet  total  w.-re-feet  in  acre-feet  total  acre-feet 

1921      24,700  24,400  — 3,000  3,300 

1922      26,600  28,000  — 3,300  1,900 

1923      26,400  29,700  — 3,500  200 

1924      16,500  31.500  — 5,500  — 9,500 

1925     25,700  33,100  — 7,000  —    400 

These  results  indicate  that  the  probable  outward  ground  water 
•movement  in  excess  of  an\'  movement  into  the  area  is  relatively  small. 
The  results  are  fairly  consistent  except  for  1024;  the  lowering  that 
occurred  in  this  .season  is  not  sufficient  to  account  for  the  crop  needs. 
Some  shortage  in  crop  supply  probably  occurred  and  some  pumping 
draft  may  have  been  supi)lie(l  from  deeper  wells  not  retiected  in  the 
ground  water  fluctuations. 

The  available  data  indicate  that  existing  development  in  this  area 
is  larger  than  present  sources  of  supply  can  support  and  that  the 
present  conditions  of  supply  and  use  will  result  in  a  progressive 
lowering  of  the  ground  water.  This  condition  ma\'  l)e  changed  if 
additional  canal  supplies  are  made  available  to  this  area.     Plans  for 


124  Department  of  Public  Works. 

such  supplies  are  now  under  consideration  by  the  Kern  River  Water 
Storage  District. 

GROUND  WATER  IN  MAIN  CANAL  AREA  SOUTH  OF  KERN   RIVER. 

This  eoinprises  a  gross  area  of  about  162,000  acres,  of  which  about 
one-half  is  included  in  the  Kern  River  Water  Storage  District.  It 
includes  all  lands  served  by  canals  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  except 
that  served  by  the  East  Side  Canal.  The  canals  supplying  the  area  have 
water  rights  which  include  the  older  priorities  on  the  river.  In  conse- 
quence a  relatively  dependable  and  adequate  service  is  received  on 
much  of  the  land.  This  has  led  to  excess  u.se,  ground  water  rise  and 
much  less  pumping  than  is  found  in  other  areas  adjacent  to  Kern 
River. 

The  use  practiced  in  tlie  past  has  resulted  in  much  land  being 
injured  by  over-irrigation  and  high  ground  water.  These  conditions 
with  general  plans  for  drainage  were  discussed  in  detail  in  Bulletin  9. 
No  material  changes  have  occurred  since  1920,  except  as  the 
annual  conditions  are  affected  by  the  varying  river  flow. 

The  canal  diversions  into  this  area  for  the  years  1920  to  1923  aver- 
aged about  normal.  The  supply  in  1924  was  about  two-thirds  normal 
and  that  in  1925  about  15  per  cent  above  normal.  The  ground  w^ter 
records  are  incomplete  between  1920  and  1924.  From  1920  to  1924 
there  was  an  average  lowering  of  the  ground  water  of  1.6  feet.  The 
lowering  varied  from  a  negligible  amount  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the 
area  to  2  to  3  feet  in  the  area  adjacent  to  Kern  River.  The  division 
of  this  lowering  between  the  different  years  is  not  obtainable  from  the 
available  records.  The  canal  records  indicate  that  it  occurred  mainly 
in  1924,  due  to  shortage  in  canal  supply.  In  1925  a  general  rise  aver- 
aging 0.4  foot  occurred.  The  rise  was  larger  in  the  areas  more  directly 
supplied  by  canals. 

Hydrographs  of  typical  wells  are  shown  in  Fig.  23.  Well  6-F-36 
is  under  the  Stine  Canal.  It  reflects  the  canal  service  (|uite  quickly 
and  shows  the  rise  of  the  ground  water  with  the  increased  suppl}^  since 
1924.  Water  in  this  location  rose  to  within  4  feet  of  the  surface  in 
1920.  The  lowering  due  to  decreased  supplv  in  1924  was  recovered 
in  1925. 

Well  7-F-24  is  under  the  Farmers'  Canal  and  also  reflects  the 
canal  service.  The  ground  water  in  1925  was  as  high  as  in  1920.  Well 
6-F-9  is  under  the  Kern  Island  Canal.  It  was  higher  in  the  latter 
part  of  1924  and  1925  than  in  1920. 

Well  8-G-l  is  in  the  bed  of  Kern  Lake.  The  ground  water  in  the 
latter  part  of  1924  and  1925  was  lower  than  in  1920,  due  to  decreased 
late  canal  deliver}^  in  this  area. 

Well  7-G-lO  is  typical  of  the  alkali  area  southeast  of  Bakersfield. 
Little  change  from  year  to  year  is  shown,  the  ground  water  rising 
almost  to  the  ground  surface.  Well  5-G-19  is  in  Bakersfield.  The 
lowering  of  1924  has  been  recovered  in  1925  and  1926. 

There  is  little  pumping  in  this  area.  In  1925  only  nine  plants  were 
reported.  The  wells  were  from  45  to  140  feet  deep  and  had  an  average 
discharge  of  1  second-foot.  There  are  a  number  of  artesian  wells 
around  Kern  Lake,  which  are  used  for  stock  purposes.     The  yield  of 


Crround   Water  Resources,  Southern  Sail  Joaquin  Valley.     125 

these  artesiau  wells  is  generally  insufficient  for  economical  irrigation 
use.  Twelve  pumping  plants  in  the  area  adjacent  to  the  river  were 
operated  by  the  Kern  County  Land  and  Water  Company  in  the  period 
following  1900.  Four  wells  were  used  with  each  pump  and  a  total 
discharge  per  [)lant  of  nearly  4  second-feet  secured. 

In  1920  the  area  in  which  the  ground  water  rose  within  different 
depths  were  obtained  from  the  observations  on  shallow  wells  dis- 
tributed over  the  area  with  tlie  following  results: 

Depth  to  -which  ivater  ruse 

far  (It  least  30  days  in  Total  area, 

IS'iO  actcs 

Less  than   2   feet 2,200 

2  to   3   feet     7,200 

3  to  4   feet    32,800 

4  to  5   feet     35.000 

r,   to   6   feet     34.000 

Total     111,200 

Similar  estimates  for  1925  were  not  prepared  but  similar  results 
would  be  shown  except  for  the  temporary  result  of  the  dry  year  in 
1924.  The  area  in  which  the  ground  water  rose  within  6  feet  of  the 
surface  represents  about  two-thirds  of  the  gross  area.  Of  this  area, 
nearly  one-half  is  within  the  Kern  River  Water  Storage  District. 

These  comparisons  indicate  that  the  normal  canal  diversions  into 
this  area  will  continue  to  maintain  a  high  ground  water.  Variations 
in  the  depths  to  water  will  occur  with  the  variations  in  canal  supply 
in  different  years.  Present  average  rates  of  diversion  exceed  crop  con- 
sumption of  moisture  and  drainage  is  essential  on  much  of  this 
area  if  adequate  crop  production  is  to  be  secured.  The  physical 
conditions  for  pumping  are  favoral>le  on  much  of  the  area  near  the 
river.  Such  pumping  in  addition  to  furnishing  relief  as  drainage 
would  also  make  available  a<lditional  water  supply. 


GROUND  WATER  IN  AREAS  NORTH   OF  KERN   RIVER. 

Lands  served  by  canals  diverting  on  the  north  side  of  Kern  River 
can  be  divided  into  two  classes.  Lands  adjacent  to  the  river  have 
received  a  more  dependable  service.  Canals  extending  to  the  north 
have  received  flood  water  service  with  wider  variations  in  the  amount 
received  in  different  years.  Such  areas  are  also  removed  from  the 
direct  effect  of  flow  in  Kern  River  itself.  Pumping  has  been  exten- 
sively developed  in  this  area  along  its  western  and  northern  portions, 
the  canal  service  being  limited  mainly  to  the  remaining  area.  In 
Bulletin  9,  this  northern  area  was  referred  to  as  the  Shaffer, 
Wasco  and  IMacFarland  area ;  the  same  name  is  used  in  this  report. 
The  areas  nearer  the  river  are  described  under  the  general  title  of 
the  Rosedale  and  the  Pioneer  areas. 


GROUND   WATER    IN    ROSEDALE   AREA. 

This  term  is  used  to  describe  the  area  lying  north  of  Kern  River 
and  south  of  the  Seventh  Standard  I'arallel  south  and  extending  from 
the  Beardsley  Canal  on  the  east  to  the  Goose  Jjake  Slough  and  Pioneer 
Canal  areas  on  the  west.     It  has  received  relatively  large  amounts  of 


126 


Departmoif  of  Public  Works. 


canal  service,  pumping  being'  used  as  a  supplemental  supply  as  well  as 
entirely  for  some  areas.  Grouiul  water  records  have  been  maintained 
i'or  some  wells  in  this  area  continuously  since  li)19. 

Wells   in   the    Kosedale  area   are  usually   siuillow.   varyinp-  from   60 


WELL  6-F-36.    Under  Stine  CanaL 


WELL  8-G-1.     In  Kern  Lake. 


2 

4 
6 
8 

10 


^ 

.y 

1925^ 

'V. 

w 

.^ 

:^ 

>-. 

_• 

^ 

-~^ 

1 — ' 

» 

-- 

1924  1 

V 


u 
u 

ID 

"t 
3 
10 


C 


E 
o 


a 
« 


8 
10 
12 


WELL  7-F-24.     Under  Farmers  CanaL 


1926 


■St 


y 


V  1925 


^K 


1924 


WELL  7-G-IO.    Southeast  of  Bakersfield. 


<«r^ 

-t:5* 

H 

h 

^^ 

.  T 

1926 

/ 

^\ 

If' 

^4 

r^^^ 

19J20 

WELL  6-F-9.     At  Panama. 


% 

•^ 

Fr«- 

1^ 

-* 

— 4 

r^ 

tN 

Is 

19 

25 

^ 

2 

""I 

1 

\'^:. 

,-^ 

20)ocir>;z-ioa-t->o 

<ul<Q.<3D3liJOOliJ 
-.li.J<2-.-i<«OZQ 


WELL  5-G-19.     In  Bakerstield. 


2     (n(Cir>-z-iOa.i->o 
->      u.      5<5-)-><«OZO 


LEGEND. 

1920 

1924 

1925 •  — 

1926 


FIG.    23.    Hydrographs    of    typical    shallow    wells    in    main    area    south    of 

Kern    River. 


to  100  feet  in  depth.  Discharges  as  large  as  3  seeond-feet  are  secured. 
Near  Rio  Bravo,  the  wells  average  somewhat  deeper  with  discharges 
of  from  1  to  ;}  second-feet.  The  depth  to  ground  water  is  relatively 
small  as  shown  on  Map  No.  2. 


I 


Ground   Water  Resources,  Southern   San   Joaquin   Valley.     127 

Hy(li-oo;rai)hs  of  typical  wells  arc  siiowii  in  Fig.  24.     Well  5-F-24 
is  near  the  river  at  the  head  of  the  Calloway  Canal.     Quick  response 

WELL  5-F-24.     Near  Kern  River  and  Calloway  Canal. 


(I 


T3 

C 
3 
O 


WELL  J.     West  of  Rosedale  in  irrigated  area. 


WELL  5-E-31.     Four  miles  west  of  Rosedgle  outside  of  irrigated  area. 


JAN  FEB.         MAR. 


1919  -=■ 

1920  -^ 

1921  

1922  --■ 


APR.        MAY         JUN. 

LEGEND. 


JUL         AUG.        SEP.         OCT.         NOV.        DEC. 


1923 
1924 
1925 
1926 


FIG.   24.    Hydrographs   of  typical    wells    in   the    Rosedale   Area. 

to  flow  ill  the  river  and  canal  is  shown.  Nearly  ;ill  of  the  lowering? 
in  1924  was  recovered  in  1925.  The  Huctuations  retlect  the  extent  of 
the  stream  How  with  no  indication  of  any  continued  lowering. 


128  Department  of  Pithlic  Works. 

Well  J  is  west  of  Rosedalo  within  the  irrigated  area.  A  ready 
response  to  canal  service  is  shown.  The  lowering  in  1924  was  not 
re-covered  in  1925.  In  the  earlier  ,\-eai-s  little  tendency  toward  low- 
ering is  shown.  The  shortage  in  sn[)ply  in  1924  resnlted  in  a  lowering 
of  about  5  feet;  in  1925  the  supply  nearly  maintained  the  ground 
water,  the  lowering  being  less  than  1  foot.  From  1920  to  1924  little 
lowering  occurred. 

Well  5-E-31  is  located  4  miles  west  of  Rosedale  and  outside  the 
area  canal  irrigated.  A  continual  lowering  is  shown  which  has  a 
tendency  to  increase  in  amount  in  recent  years  due  to  the  smaller 
canal  supply  on  lands  to  the  east 

The  water  supply  in  the  Kosedale  area  is  derived  from  canal  diver- 
sions and  river  seepage.  The  ground  water  in  the  oil  fields  to  the  east 
has  been  lowered  so  that  a  cone  of  depression  exists  and  ground  water 
movement  from  the  east,  even  if  it  occurred  under  natural  conditions, 
would  now  be  intercepted.  Kern  River  loses  some  water  in  the  por- 
tion of  its  channel  adjacent  to  the  Rosedale  area.  It  is  doubtful  if 
much  of  such  seepage  moves  into  the  Rosedale  area  as  ground  water 
at  Rosedale  prior  to  the  construction  of  the  canals  is  reported  to  have 
been  about  50  feet  lower  than  at  present.  River  seepage  under  natural 
conditions  was  not  sufficient  to  raise  the  ground  water  at  Rosedale  to 
its  present  elevation,  although  the  ground  water  slope  under  the  early 
conditions  would  have  been  relatively  steep  in  this  direction.  While 
some  river  seepage  into  this  area  may  occur  i1^  amount  is  considered 
to  be  relatively  small.  Present  ground  water  conditions  are  the  result 
of  irrigation  and  are  dependent  on  irrigation  for  their  maintenance. 

The  supply  received  from  irrigation  in  this  area  is  relatively  large 
and  pumping  has  been  less  extensively  developed  than  in  the  areas  to 
the  north.  The  crops  irrigated  consist  of  about  one-half  alfalfa  and 
one-half  trees,  vines  and  annual  crops.  The  normal  ground  water  in 
parts  of  the  area  is  sufficiently  near  the  surface  to  have  caused  damage 
to  the  land  and  to  result  in  some  loss  of  moisture^  in  excess  of  normal 
crop  needs. 

The  records  of  the  areas  irrigated,  the  canal  supply  received  into 
the  area  and  the  resulting  fluctuation  in  the  ground  water  are  shown 
in  the  following  table  for  each  season  since  1919.  In  general  the 
ground  water  fluctuation  varies  with  the  extent  of  the  canal  supply 
per  acre  of  crop.  Some  variations  from  a  direct  relationship  occur 
however,    particularly    in   192:1. 

Irrigation   and   Ground   Water   Fluctuations   in    Rosedale   Area. 
Gross  Area  43,840  Acres. 

Canal  water 

Acre-feet  Avemae 

Area  irrigated,  acres                                                per  acre  rise  or  fall 

From           Pumps                                       Total               of  total  in  water 

Year                  canals              only               Total             acre-feet         crop  area  table,  feet 

1919      11,225  3,420  14,645  56,784  3.87 

1920     15,253               2,607               17,860               77.85:5                   4.26  —  .30 

1921      11,600                3,200                14.800                50,48S                    3.81  —   .13 

1922      15,556                2,600                18,156                98,737                    5.43  -fl.56 

1923     12,653               3,000               15,653               68,789                   4.39  — 0.94 

1924      0  6,080  6,080  0  0  — 4.79 

1925     7,831  4,000  11,831  35,842  3.03  — 1.28 


<  J  round   Water  ticsources.  Southern  San  Joaquin   Valley.     129 

In  Pi.u.  25  the  Teoords  are  plotted  for  the  area  as  a  wliole  and 
sei)arately  for  the  area  in  eaeli  of  the  three  townships  included.  The 
area  in  township  29  south,  range  25  east,  consists  of  the  part  of  the 
east  half  of  this  township  north  of  Goose  Lake  Slough.  All  of  town- 
ship 29  south,  ranue  2(5  east,  is  included  except  the  south  row  of 
sections.  All  of  towwship  29  south,  range  27  east,  north  of  the  river 
and  east  of  the  Lerdo  Canal  is  included. 

In  township  29  south,  range  25  east,  there  is  no  canal  irrigation  and 
little  pumping.  The  results  for  the  different  years  are  less  consistent 
than  for  the  other  areas.  To  some  extent  there  appears  to  be  a 
secondary  effect  from  the  preceding  year,  the  rise  in  1923  following 
the  larger  supply  of  1922,  being  greater  than  would  have  been  expected 
from  the  supply  in  1923  and  the  lowering  in  1925,  following  the  dry 
year  in  1924,  being  greater  than  would  have  been  expected  from  the 
sujiply  in  1925. 

For  the  two  eastern  town.ships,  the  lowering  in  1923  was  larger 
than  would  have  been  expected  from  the  results  in  other  years.  This 
is  probably,  at  least  partly,  due  to  the  higher  ground  water  restilting 
from  the  larger  diversion  in  1922  with  a  resulting  increase  in  outward 
ground  water  movement  and  local  soil  evaporation.  The  ground  water 
at  the  end  of  the  1922  season  was  about  1^  feet  higher  than  in  1920. 
The  larger  losses  resulting  from  this  condition  probably  account  for 
the  dirt'erenee  in  results  in  1923. 

Th«^  water  supply  received  in  the  Rosedale  area  may  be  consumed 
either  by  crop  use  or  soil  evaporation,  or  may  pass  outward  from  the 
area  as  ground  water  movement.  The  results  given  in  preceding  table 
supply  data  only  on  the  area  of  crops  and  do  not  give  any  direct 
measure  of  these  different  items,  although  their  sum  is  indicated  by 
the  amount  of  the  supply  received  and  the  resulting  ground  water 
fluctuations.  If  these  different  items  of  disposal  of  the  water  supply 
were  constant  the  years  covered  by  the  observations  would  permit  a 
solution  for  their  individual  amount.  However,  the  elements  are  not 
constant  and  the  rate  of  variation  with  other  factors  is  not  known. 
Crop  use  of  moisture  may  be  at  least  closely  proportional  to  the  area 
froi>ped  in  different  years,  but  soil  evaporation  and  outward  move- 
ment of  ground  water  vary  with  the  height  of  the  ground  water.  These 
elements  can  only  be  estimated  by  assuming  values  for  the  crop  use 
and  drainage  factor  and  considering  that  the  remaining  unaccounted 
for  supply  represents  the  sum  of  outward  ground  water  movement 
and  excess  soil  evajioration.     This  has  been  done  in  the  ff)llowing  table. 

A  crop  use  of  2.0  acre-feet  per  acre  has  been  assumed  based  on  gen- 
eral comparison  with  other  areas.  This  represents  the  crop  use 
expected  under  the  local  conditions  for  land  free  from  the  effects  of 
high  ground  watei-,  any  additional  crop  due  to  high  ground  being 
considered  as  a  ])art  of  the  excess  soil  evaporation  loss. 

A  drainage  factor  of  18  per  cent  has  been  used.  This  is  based  on 
lesults  in  other  areas.  It  is  a  relatively  high  value  which  is  considered 
warranted  by  the  conditions  in  this  area  where  the  lowering  is  \\ithin 
the  surface  material  which  averages  fairh^  coarse  in  texture. 


9 — 47076 


130 


Departmeni  of  Public  Worlcs. 


The  results  of  these  assumptions  are  as  follows : 


Total  water 
supply 
Year  acre-feet 

1!)20  78,000 

1921  56,000 

1922  99,000 

1923  69,000 

1924     0 

1925     36,000 


Estimated 

crop  use  at 

2.0  an-c-feet 

per  acn-e. 

total  acre- feet 

36,000 
30,000 
36,000 
31,000 
12,000 
24,000 


T.  29  S..  R.  25  E..  M.  D.  B.  &  M. 


+2.0 

0.0 

-2.0 

^.0 


1923  • 

^ 

1 

921^ 

1*920 

1922 

1924 

^ 

< 

1925 

'i 

\ 

3         i 

\ 

5        6 

Estimated 

Chan  {J  c  in 

fjround  water 

ivithin  area, 
total  acre-feet 

—  2,000 

—  1,0(10 
4-12,000 

—  7.000 
— SS.OOO 
—10,000 


Resulting 
unavcoiinted 
for  supply. 

acre-feet 

44,000 
'  27,000 
51,000 
45,000 
26,000 
22,000 


'J'otal  f/rvH'id 

water  change 

since  1920, 

feet 

.0 
— 0.1 

+  1.4 
+  0.5 

—  4.3 

—  5.6 


T.  29  S..  R.  26  E..  M.  0.  B.  &  M. 


+2.0 

0.0 

-2.0 

^.0 

-6.0 


1921.    ^r 

1925 

^ 

'<1920 

• 

1923 

•^24 

^ 

> 
u 


•D 
C 

P    +4.0 


^2.0 

0.0 

-2.0 

-4.0 


T.  29  S..  R.  27  E.,  M.  D.  B.  &  M. 


c 
ro 
.c 
O 


-6.0 


-«.0 


19! 

f 

/^n 

D 

1925 

y 

1921 

• 

y 

/ 

1923 

/ 

/ 

^1924 

+2.0 
0.0 
-2.0 
-4.0 
-6.0 


ENTIRE  AREA. 


1 

1925 

192W 

r*^1920 
1*923 

^ 

^ 

^ 

^1924 

Acre        feet 


per 


FIG.    25.   Relation    of    water    applied    In    irrigation,    from    both    canals    and 
wells,   to  change   in    level   of   ground   water   in    Rosedale   Area. 

Variations  in  the  estimate  of  consumptive  use  or  drainage  factor 
will  affect  the  resulting  estimate  of  unaccounted  for  supply.  Material 
changes  would  be  required  to  change  the  general  nature  of  the  results, 
however. 

The  resulting  unaccounted  for  supply  appears  to  vary  widely. 
These  variations  are,  however,  at  least  partly,  accounted  for  by  the 
changed  conditions  in  1924  and  1925,  leaving  1921  as  the  only  incon- 
sistent result.  A  greater  lowering  of  the  ground  water  m  1921  would 
have  been  expected  than  the  lowering  that  occurred. 


Ground    Water  lUsonrces,  Southern   San   Joaquin    Valley.     131 

The  I'c.siilt.s  for  192U  to  l!)2.'i,  iueliisi\'c,  ruprrsent  a  i)enod  of  larger 
canal  supply,  hisher  ground  water  and  eonseciuently  lariicr  ground 
watt'r  losses.  An  unaceounted  for  suj)ply  of  about  45.000  acre-feet 
per  year  ajipcars  to  1)(>  indicated  by  these  results. 

The  lack  of  any  canal  supply  in  1924  resulted  in  all  cro])  use  being 
supplied  from  the  m'ound  water.  This,  with  outward  ground  water 
nioveinent,  resulted  in  a  material  lowering.  fSuch  lowering  resulted 
in  the  ground  water  being  below  the  influence  of  surface  evaporation 
and  piobably  also  reduced  the  outward  moven\ent.  The  smaller  unac- 
counted for  supply  may  be  a  measure  of  the  conditions  that  will  occur 
with  such  lower  ground  water. 

In  1925  the  supply  was  still  deficient  and  the  ground  water  remained 
lower  than  in  former  vears.  The  unaccounted  for  supply  was  less  in 
1925  than  in  1924. 

The  average  canal  supply  received  by  this  area  is  about  85,000  acre- 
feet  per  year.  The  average  area  irrigated  by  canals  and  pumps  may 
he  20,000  acres.  With  stable  ground  water  this  Avould  result  in  a 
surpliLs  .supply  over  ci'op  needs  of  about  45,000  acre-feet.  Present 
average  conditions  in  this  area  w-ould  be  expected  to  replace  the 
ground  water  lowering  of  1924  and  1925  and  restore  tlie  previous  rate 
of  outflow  and  excess  soil  evaporation  loss.  The  present  average 
supply  for  this  area  exceeds  the  present  crop  demands  and  an  increase 
in  pumping  should  be  feasible  without  material  permanent  ground 
water  lowering  below  the  depth  sufficient  to  prevent  soil  evaporation 
and  reduce  outward  ground  water  movement.  The  lowering  of  the 
ground  w^ater  in  1924  and  1925  resulted  in  a  reduction  of  about  20,000 
acre-feet  per  year  in  the  indicated  losses  from  the  area.  Further 
lowering  of  the  ground  water  should  still  further  reduce  outward 
inovement.  The  extent  of  such  reduction  with  any  given  amount  of 
lowering  can  not  be  predicted,  but  a  lowering  within  the  limits  of 
economical  pumping  should  result  in  a  further  reduction  in  outflow. 
AVhile  the  changed  conditions  resulting  from  the  absence  of  canal 
supply  in  1924  have  not  been  in  effect  sufficiently  long  to  enable 
dependence  to  be  placed  on  the  numerical  results  indicated,  the  records 
presented  appear  to  justify  tlie  conclusion  that  a  matei-ial  reduction 
in  the  present  delivery  to  this  area  could  lie  nuide  without  resulting 
in  a  shortage  in  supply,  provided  the  ground  water  is  maintained 
below  the  high  levels  found  from  1920  to  1923. 


GROUND   WATER   IN    SHAFTER,  WASCO   AND    McFARLAND    AREA. 

This  area  extends  from  the  7th  Standard  Parallel  south  to 
Ijetween  McFarland  and  Delano  on  the  north  and  from  the  Lerdo 
Canal  westward  to  include  the  main  pumping  areas  west  of  Shaffer 
and  Wasco.  This  area  depends  mainly  on  the  Lerdo  and  Calloway 
canals  and  on  Poso  Creek  for  its  ground  water  replenishment.  The 
western  boundary  of  the  area  dependent  on  these  sources  of  supply 
is  not  definite.  In  the  lower  valley  areas  to  the  west,  artesian  wells 
have  been  obtained ;  Avells  formerly  flowing  continuously  now  flow, 
if  at  all,  only  during  the  winter  months,  however.  On  the  south,  the 
line  of  division  between  the  area  affected  by  I'echarge  from  the  Rose- 


132  Department  of  Public  Worls. 

dale  area  and  the  area  aft'eeted  only  by  use  under  tlie  Calloway  canal 
is  similarly  indefinite. 

The  areas  irrijiated  in  this  area,  l)i)1h  by  canals  and  by  pumping, 
liave  been  canvassed  at  different  times.  Tlie  ground  water  fluctuations 
liave  also  been  determined  for  each  season,  the  seasons  ending  Septem- 
ber 15.  This  date  was  selected  as  the  lowest  point  of  the  ground  water 
c.ycle,  a  rise  nsually  oecnrring  after  this  date.  These  results,  inclnding 
the  canal  deliveries,  are  taken  from  the  data  compiled  by  the  Kern 
Kivei-  Water  Storage  District. 

The  canal  service  in  the  area  south  of  the  7tli  Standard  Parallel 
soutli  luis  been  more  dependable  than  lliat  in  tlie  area  north  of  the 
parallel.  IMore  complete  canal  service  has  been  received  south  of  the 
]>arallel  and  pumping  is  less  extensive.  The  gronnd  water  slopes, 
fluctuations  of  wells  and  other  records  indicate  that  the  ground  water 
south  of  the  parallel  has  only  a  limited  effect  on  the  supply  north  of 
Ihe  parallel  and  the  ground  Avater  in  the  area  north  of  the  parallel  is 
considered  to  be  mainly  dependent  on  the  surface  water  supply  enter- 
ing the  area. 

The  sources  of  surface  supply  are  the  Lerdo  and  lower  Calloway 
canals  and  Poso  Creek. 

The  records  of  canal  supply  are  given  in  the  following  table.  The 
(luantities  are  those  measured  at  what  is  known  as  Second  Point  Callo- 
way, where  the  Calloway  Canal  enters  this  area  and  at  the  diversion 
of  the  Lerdo  Canal  from  the  Beardsley  Canal.  Some  delivery  from 
I'alloway  Canal  above  Second  Point,  which  is  used  in  this  area,  is  also 

included : 

Total  acre  feet  30-ycar 

Canal                             19^0  1921  1922  1923         lOZ-'t          1925           mean 
Calloway  Canal, 

above    sec-ond    point-   3,100  14,300  19,400  5,400           0               .i.^OO        10.000 

Stronil    point    45.000  29,600  78,300  1'6,400            0             10,400        66.00(1 

ivirdu     Canal     8,050  11,100  19,600  12,600           0               4.100        18,200 

'lotals 56,150  55,000        117,300         44,400  0  17.800        94,200 

The  flow  of  Poso  Creek  above  its  entrance  into  this  area  has  been 
measured  since  1919  with  the  following  results: 

Total  run-off 
Year  acre-feet 

1920    9,270 

1921    4,510 

1922  __- 7,770 

1923    10.050 

1924 0 

1925    7,360 

The  probable  mean  annual  run-off  of  Poso  Creek  has  been  estimated 
ax  20,000  acre-feet,  the  years  covered  by  the  records  were  all  below 
normal  in  precipitation. 

Early  records  of  ground  watei"  in  this  area  are  fragmentary.  Two 
wells  were  drilled  in  1870  to  obtain  stock  water  for  use  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  Calloway  Canal.  One  well  was  located  in  section  27, 
township  28  south,  range  26  east,  Avater  standing  94  feet  from  the 
surface.  In  1920  ground  water  at  this  location  stood  58  feet  higher 
than  this  elevation.  The  other  well  was  located  in  section  2,  township 
28  south,  range  25  east,  water  standing  105  feet  from  the  surface.  In 
]  920  ground  water  at  this  location  stood  51  feet  higher  than  this  eleva- 


(J round    W'dftr   h'< smircrs,   SuutlKrii    Soji   Joaquin    Valley.     133 

tion.  A  third  well,  near  Kosedale,  was  59  feet  higher  in  1920  than 
in  ]87(j.  These  records  indicate  that  the  present  ground  water  in  this 
general  area  is  the  result  of  losses  from  irrigation  rather  than  from 
natural  sources. 

The  lower  hill  areas  to  the  east  represent  tertiary  formations.  These 
dip  heneath  tlic  surface  till  and  may  extend  entii-cly  under  the  area. 
Such  tertiary  i'oi-iiiatious  are,  however,  at  considerable  depth  and  all 
pumping  now  practiced  is  from  the  more  recent  valley  fills.  Wells 
in  the  tertiary  formation  due  to  its  liner  texture  would  give  smaller 
yields  than  those  in  tlie  I'cceut  alluvium.  Conditions  of  replenishuu^nt 
j;re  also  unfavorable  in  tlie  tertiary  material,  as  its  outcrop  is  above 
the  canals  and  in  an  area  of  limited  precipitation  and  consequent 
small  absorption  into  ground  water  strata. 

The  following  discussion  regarding  ground  water  in  this  area  has 
been  based  on  the  conclusion  that  the  only  sources  of  su])i)ly  of  appre- 
ciable amount  are  those  received  from  canal  diversions  and  Poso  Creek. 

The  data  on  the  areas  irrigated,  tlie  water  supply  and  the  ground 
water  tluetuations  for  each  year  since  1919  are  sumumrized  in  the 
following  table.  The  area  irrigated  by  wells  has  increased  steadily. 
The  water  suiiply  per  acre  of  total  irrigated  area  has  varied  widely 
in  tlie  different  years.  Such  variations  are  reflected  in  the  resulting 
ground  water  fluctuations.  Very  little  of  the  pump  served  area  receives 
any  canal  service. 

The  ground  water  fluctuations  in  this  area  reflect  the  composite 
result  of  several  factors.  These  include  the  extent  of  the  ground 
water  supply  received,  the  amount  of  use  by  canal  served  lands,  the 
amount  of  pumping,  and  outward  ground  water  movement.  The  bal- 
ance between  elements  of  supply  and  use  is  secured  from  or  added  to 
the  accumulated  ground  water.  The  amount  of  the  ground  water 
fluctuation  depends  on  the  extent  of  this  balance  and  the  amount  of 
ground  material  that  is  drained  or  fllled  in  order  to  supply  or  store 
the  balance. 

Summary  of  Areas    Irrigated,   Water   Supply  and   Ground    Water    Fluctuations   in 

Shatter- Wasco-McFarland    Area. 

Wairr 

sui)i)h/.    Ateraf/e 
(irrr.-lict  lOKCriiif) 
GronN  urra,   IKi.OOO  an-rs  per  acre  of 

Area    irriyatcd.    acres         Water   sup-ply.   acre-feet         of  total       fjrouiid 
From  From  Poso  irriaated       iratrr 

Year  canals  By  wells     Total        canals        creek       Total  area  feet 

1919    18,970         .31,000         49.970         50.308 

1920    1-1.130         30,8:)()         44,931)         r,(i,1.54  9.270         (i."),424  1.45  —1.8 

1921     4.291  33.000  37,81)0  55.034  4.510  59.544  1.5S  —2.12 

1922     17,202  30,500  53,700        117.324  7,770        124.004  2.32  — 0. 1> 

1923     9.7:-!7  3;».2i)0  48.940  44,300  10,050  54.410  1.11  —3.10 

1924     0         41,994         41,994  0  0  0  0  —4.60 

1925     4,574  44,800  40,370  17.802  7,300  25,432  .52  —5.24 

Notes. — Area.s  irrigated  by  wells  determined  in  1919,  1920,  and  1924  ;ind  inter- 
liolated    for   f)ther   years. 

Lowering  of  ground  water  in  1920  based  on  records  tor  less  than  the  full  yeai'. 

The  area  served  by  canals  varies  with  tlie  water  supjily.  Irriiiation 
from  canals  is  now  practiced  under  conditions  wliich  result  in  heavy 
rates  of  appliealinn  on  llic  hmds  .served  with  consequent  large  addi- 
tions to  the  ground  water.  Such  losses  would  be  reduced  with 
iinpro\('iiients  in  ]u-esent  canal  irrigation  practice.     Of  the  gross  arcvi 


134 


Depait)nc)it  of  Public  Worls. 


of  181,000  acres  included  in  tlie  area  here  considered,  only  about  one- 
eip'hth  is  normally  irriyated  from  canals.  In  recent  years  the  actual 
area  so  irrijiated  lias  been  less  than  this  amount  due  to  deficiencies 
in  stream  tlow.  The  area  now  served  by  pumps  is  about  one-fourth  of 
the  Rross  area. 

Outward  <>-round  water  movement  from  this  area  may  occur. 
Ground  water  is  olitainable  in  areas  to  the  west  and  north  toward 
which  the  <iround  water  slopes;  usually  in  wells  of  greater  depth  than 
those  rc((uired  within  the  area  itself.  The  amount  of  any  such  out- 
ward movement  would  depend  nuiinly  on  the  slope  of  the  ground 
water  and  tlie  extent  and  ehai-acter  of  the  materials  through  which 
movement  occurred.  Sudi  outHow  would  be  relatively  constant  in 
diflPerent  years  and  largely  independent  of  the  variations  in  annual 
suppl.N .  It  would  be  affected  by  increased  pumping  within  the  area 
to  such  extent  as  such  pumping  nuiy  intercept  such  outward  move- 
ment or  the  lowering  resulting  from  pumping  ma.y  reduce  the  slope 
or  the  area  through  which  movement  occurs. 

Prior  to  canal  construction  within  the  area  the  only  material  source 
of  supply  was  Poso  Creek.  As  previously  stated  the  ground  water  was 
over  50  feet  lower  in  1876  than  in  1920.  Apparently  all  ground  water 
received  from  Poso  Creek  passed  through  this  area  without  requiring 
a  water  table  above  that  found  in  1876.  This  would  indicate  an  out- 
wai'd  ground  water  movement  of  15.000  to  20.000  acre-feet  per  year 
under  such  conditions.  The  rise  in  ground  water  since  canal  con- 
struction would  be  expected  to  result  in  an  increase  in  such  outflow. 

From  1876  to  the  beginning  of  pumping  about  1910  there  appears  to 
have  been  an  average  rise  of  the  ground  water  of  about  1^  feet  per 
year.  The  probable  average  annual  supply  reaching  the  ground  water 
in  this  period  was  about  60,000  acre-feet.  The  outflow  would  increase 
as  the  ground  water  rose  and  would  have  been  a  maximum  just  prior 
to  the  beginning  of  ]iumping.  The  ground  water  lowering  of  about 
20  feet  since  pumping  began  and  the  interception  of  outflow  by  pump- 
ing have  probably  reduced  the  outflow  materially  below  that  which 
occurred  i)rior  to  pumping. 

There  are  five  years  of  record  foi-  which  data  are  available  on  the 
area  of  crops,  the  water  supply  and  the  ground  water  fluctuations. 
The  unknown  elements  in  the  ground  water  balance  for  each  year  are 
the  actual  use  of  moisture  by  crops,  the  outward  movement  of  ground 
water  and  the  moisture  made  available  by  draining  an  acre-foot  of 
soil  vohune.  The  number  of  years  covered  by  the  records  enables  the 
amount  of  these  three  unknowns  to  be  estimated.  These  years  include 
TWO  of  small  supply,  two  of  less  than  normal  supply,  and  one  of  about 
normal.  The  moisture  made  available  by  draining  a  given  soil  volume, 
sometimes  referred  to  as  the  drainage  factor,  is  usually  expressed  as 
a  percentage  of  the  soil  volume  drained. 

For  any  year  the  water  supply  must  equal  the  crop  use  plus  the 
outflow  plus  or  minus  the  water  represented  by  the  ground  water 
fluctuations.  If  the  crop  use  and  outflow  exceed  the  supply  received, 
lowering  of  the  ground  water  will  occur  to  supply  the  deficiency  and 
the  water  represented  l\v  such  lowering  is  the  equivalent  of  additional 


(iround   M'ater  Resources,  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.     135 


water  supply.     If  the  supply  exceeds  crop  use  and  outflow  the  ground 
water  will  rise  by  an  amount  represented  by  the  excess  supply. 

These  principles  were  applied  to  the  data  in  the  preceding  table 
and  a  solution  for  the  three  unknown  factors  attempted.  The  values 
of  these  factors  which  seem  to  more  nearly  fit  these  results  were  a 
drainage  factor  of  about  12.5  per  cent,  a  consumptive  use  of  from 


ENTIRE  AREA. 


T.  27  S..  R.  24.  25  &  26  E.,  M.  D.  B.  &  M. 


0.0 
-2.0 
^.0 
-6.0 
-8.0 


^ 

^1922 

\^-ny 

1QP4  ^^ 

"^923 

j^»1925 

T.  25  S..  R.  24.  25  &  26  E.,  M.  D.  B.  &  M. 


-       0.0  r 


-2.0 


-4.0 


-6.0 


— •-I922 

^^^^-"^l] 

^325^1^5 

1923 

NORTH  V2  OF  T.  28  S..  R.  24,  25,  26  &  27  E., 


0.0 


-2.0 


^.0 


-6.0 


M.  D.  B.  &  M. 


192U,^ 

■""Twiz 

'1924^^^ 

''^3 

^"^•1925 

01 

c 


O 


T.  26  S..  R.  24,  25  &  26  E..  M.  0.  B.  &  M. 


0.0 


-2.0 
-4.0 


-6.0 


^1922 

^ 

-^1923 

.1924  ^/^ 
v<)925 

SOUTH  \-,  OF  T.  28  S..  R.  24,  25.  26  &  27  E.. 
IVI.  D.  B.  &  M. 


0.0 
-2.0 


-6.0 


,1924          '- 

l3L— r- — ■ 

*T922 

■ ' 

1921 

•1925 

Acre        feet        per       acre. 

FIG.  26.    Relation   of  water   applied    in   irrigation,   from    both   canals   and   wells, 
to  change   in  level  of  ground   water  in   Shafter,  Wasco,  and   McFarland   Areas. 

1.8  to  2.1  acre-feet  per  acre  of  crop  and  an  outflow  of  about  25,000 
acre-feet  per  year. 

The  drainage  factor  is  in  fair  agreement  With  what  would  be  expected 
in  an  area  of  this  character.  Drainage  of  water-bearing  material  may 
represent  25  to  35  per  cenf  of  the  volume  drained.  However,  as  the 
ground  water  lowering  includes  strata  that  are  impervious  and  do  not 


136  Department  of  Public  Works. 

yield  water,  tlie  average  drainage  faetor  of  any  large  area  is  always 
less  than  that  expected  from  saturated  material. 

The  consumptive  use  indicated  represents  the  water  actually  used 
by  plant  transpiration  or  soil  evaporation.  It  is  less  than  the  amounts 
pumped  as  losses  by  seepage  l)aek  into  the  ground  occur.  Records  of 
])umping  plant  operation  indicate  a  gross  ])um])ing  draft  of  about 
4  acre-feet  per  acre.  Much  of  tliis  returns  to  the  ground  water  as 
seepage  from  reservoirs  or  ditches  and  percolation  losses  from  lands 
heavily  irrigated.  That  such  downward  movement  occurs  on  heavily 
irrigated  lands  in  this  area  is  shown  by  well  records  near  lands  canal 
irrigated  which  may  rise  10  to  15  feet  following  heavy  flooding. 

The  indicated  consumptive  use  is  somewhat  higher  than  might  at 
first  be  expected,  based  on  comparison  with  other  areas.  However 
frequent  irrigations  are  practiced  and  much  of  the  land  double  croi)ped 
or  intercropped. 

The  outward  ground  water  movement  represents  the  net  movement. 
If  movement  into  the  area  occurs,  such  as  from  the  Rosedale  area,  the 
gross  outw'ard  movement  would  equal  the  figures  given  i)lus  the  amount 
of  any  additional  inflow  not  considered  in  the  comparisons  as  made. 

In  Fig.  26  the  ground  water  fluctuations  have  been  plotted  against 
the  water  supply  received  for  the  ditferent  years.  The  indicated  rela- 
tionship is.  in  general,  consistent.  The  results  for  1920  are  incomplete, 
as  the  ground  water  records  do  not  cover  the  full  year.  The  area 
cropped  varies  from  21  to  30  per  cent  of  the  gross  area  in  the  different 
years.  The  amount  of  the  fluctuations  required  to  supply  a  deficiency 
in  supifly  will  vary  with  the  per  cent  of  the  gross  area  being  irrigated. 
When  corrections  for  the  varying  percentage  of  the  gross  area  irri- 
gated in  each  year  are  applied  the  points  for  the  different  years  fall 
more  closely  in  line  than  shown  in  Fig  26.  The  results  for  1924  and 
1925  are  not  in  close  agreement.  The  lowering  in  1924  was  less  than 
would  have  been  expected  by  comparison  with  1925.  In  1924  the 
lowering  of  the  ground  water  resulted  in  many  pumping  plants  being 
unable  to  secure  their  former  discharge  and  reduced  pumping  resulted. 
These  conditions  were  largely  adjusted  by  the  lowering  of  pumps 
prior  to  the  1925  season. 

In  Fig.  26  similar  curves  for  the  different  parts  of  tlie  area  are  also 
shown.  As  the  horizontal  sr-ale  represents  the  average  supply  for  the 
whole  area,  the  results  would  not  be  expected  to  be  consistent  with  the 
local  ground  water  fluctuations  as  the  areas  and  amounts  of  both  canal 
and  i)ump  service  vary  in  the  different  parts  of  the  area.  Certain 
general  conditions  are  shown  however.  The  data  on  which  Fig.  26  is 
based  are  shown  in  the  following  table. 

Less  lowering  has  occurred  in  township  28  south  than  in  other  parts 
of  the  area.  This  includes  the  area  of  pumping  near  Shafter.  There 
is  a  smaller  percentage  of  the  gross  area  irrigated  by  pumps  in  the 
south  half  of  township  28  south  which  probably  largely  accounts  for 
its  smaller  lowering  although  the  canal  irrigation  and  possibly  ground 
water  movement  from  the  Rosedale  area  nuiy  also  be  factors. 


Ground    Water  Kesoiirccs,  SoutlLcrn  San  Joaquin   Valley.     137 

Ground  Water  Fluctuations  in  Different  Parts  of  Shafter- Wasco- McFarland  Area. 

Ornsfi  (rri((      Mcau  ch(iiif/e  in    ground  ica'cr   cleiHition  in  feel 

Area  Aci-rs  lUZO-il  19.U-22    19^2-23  192S-2.'t  192.>,-25    1920-25 

T.      25  S..  Rs.  24.  23.  26.    E.  23,040  ■ — 2.88  ■ — 1.35  — 3. 70  • — 5.7"  —4.40  — 18.10 

T    26  S.,  Rs.   24,  2.5.  26  E.  46.080  —2.50  +0.49  — 3.0G  — 4.68  —5.95  —15.70 

■1.   27  S..   H-i.  24,  2."),  2ii  E.  5U,5iiU  —2.12  —0.1:?  — 4.0.3  —6.77  —6.38  —19.4:: 
N.    .'.  of  T.  28  S..  lis.  24, 

25,    26,    27    K ;10.9:?0  —1.41  —1.50  — 2.62  —2.97  — 4.24  —12.74 

S.   .^.  'of  T.  28  S.,  Us.  24, 

25,    26,    27    K .30.720  —1.65  —0.84  —1.67  —1.66  —4. 02  —  9.84 


Totals     181,330         —2.12         —0.48         —3.10         -4.60         —5.24         —15.54 

A\'ater  suppiv  aore-feet 

per  acre   of  crop  area  1.58  2.32  1.11  0  0.52 

Township  27  south  represents  the  heavily  pumped  Wasco  area  and 
sliows  the  maximum  lowering.  The  average  lowering  in  township  27 
south,  range  24  east,  whieli  includes  the  main  pumping  area  was  19.5 
feet  for  this  period.  The  lowering  to  the  east  in  township  27  south, 
range  25  east,  was  25.5  feet.  Township  27  south,  range  25  east,  includes 
the  areas  served  hy  canals  and  reflects  the  extent  of  such  service. 
Ground  water  rose  2.5  feet  in  ]922  with  large  canal  supplies  but  fell 
9.9  feet  in  1924  with  no  canal  supply. 

ToAvnship  26  south  reflects  the  effect  of  canal  use  in  1922,  being  the 
only  area  that  rose  in  that  year.  It  also  receives  some  benefit  from  Foso 
Creek.  Township  25  south  is  further  removed  from  canal  irrigation 
and  Poso  Creek  and  shows  larger  lowering. 

The  preceding  discussion  furnishes  a  basis  on  which  to  estimate  the 
relation  of  present  use  in  this  area  to  the  average  water  supply.  As 
the  supply  received  in  the  last  five  years  has  been  only  43  per  cent 
of  the  average  the  lowering  that  has  occurred  does  not  of  itself  indi- 
cate an  overdraft  on  the  ground  water. 

The  average  canal  supply  has  been  94,200  acre-feet  per  year.  The 
average  run-off  of  Poso  Creek  has  been  estimated  as  20,000  acre-feet. 
giving  a  total  average  supply  of  114,200  acre-feet.  The  present  pumped 
area  is  50.000  acres.  In  normal  years  about  18.000  acres  are  irrigated 
from  canals;  the  average  may  be  12,000  acres.  If  the  crop  use  is  2.0 
acre-feet  per  acre,  124,000  acre-feet  would  be  reciuired  for  the  average 
crop  area.  An  outflow  of  25,000  acre-feet  gives  a  total  average  demand 
of  149,000  acre-feet,  or  34,800  acre-feet  in  excess  of  the  average  sui)ply. 
With  present  development  and  average  water  supj)ly  conditions  a  lower- 
ing of  about  1.5  feet  per  year  would  be  exi)ected.  The  only  year  covered 
by  the  observations  in  Avhich  an  average  water  supi)ly  was  received  was 
1922.  With  8300  acres  .less  of  pumping  area  a  lowering  of  i  foot 
occurred  which  is  in  agreement  with  the  above  estimate. 

WelLs  in  this  area  are  generally  le.ss  than  200  feet  in  d(»pth.  A  few 
wells  of  about  500-feet  depth  are  in  use  and  the  tendency  is  toward 
the  use  of  deeper  wells.  Lai'ger  discharges  are  usually  secured  from 
the  deeper  wells. 

There  has  been  some  discussion  as  to  whether  the  deeper  wells  secure 
a  (lififerent  sonrc(^  of  supplx'  tlian  the  shallow  wells  and  whether  similar 
fluctuations  would  be  shown.  The  Hoover  farm  drilled  deeper  w<'lls 
in  3921  and  recoi-ds  of  their  fluctuation  'can  be  compared  with  those 


138 


Department  of  Public  Works. 


WELL  3-D-7.     In  canal  irrigated  area. 


10 
15 
20 

25 
30 
35 
40 
45 
50 
55 


"-^ 


1^2? 


r/ 


X 


^920 


.,^^ 


♦  •»• 


^ 


+   ♦■  -♦- 


U926 


♦■  ♦  ♦! 


♦  ♦ 


'925 


9191/ 


— fs 


"*^ 


fl> 


1924 


♦  ♦ 


♦  ♦  * 


♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦ 


WELL  4-D-5.     Southwest  of  Stiafter  in  pump  area. 


c 


▼^r" 


WELL  3-C-6.     Soutiiwest  of  Wasco  in  pump  area. 


I 


WELL  2-D-2.     Nortti  of  Wasco. 


15 
20 

25 
30 
35 


— .-_L_._|_i92F  \92j:--|5>5^i 


JAN.       FEB.      MAR.      APR.       MAY     JUN.      JUL.      AUG.      SEP.      OCT.      NOV.     DEC. 


LEGEI^D. 


1919  — °-- 

1920  — ». 

1921     o 

1922 


-^-  1923 

• —  1924 

-«~-  1925 

1926 


FIG.   27.   Hydrographs   of  typical   wells    in    Shatter   and    Wasco   Areas. 


Ground   Water  Iicsources,  Southern   San   Joaquin    Valley.     139 

of  shallow  wells  on  atljacent  areas.  These  wells  are  in  sections  29  and 
30,  townshi])  27  south,  range  25  east,  l)etween  Wasco  and  Shafter,  and 
at  the  eastern  edge  of  the  heavily  pumped  area.  The  depths  vary  from 
405  to  562  feet.  ^ 

Readings  on  these  wells  for  the  date  of  drilling  and  also  for  tlie 
spring  of  1926  have  heen  furnished  by  ]\Ir.  Harvey  Kilburu.  superin- 
tendent of  the  Hoover  farm.    The  results  are  as  follows : 

Total  loiocrino 
Well  Year  installed  Years  since  drilled  since  drilUny 

29-A    1921  5  21.5 

29-B    1921  5  25 

29-C    1921  5  23 

29-D    1921  5  28 

29-E    1925  1  1 

30-A    1921  5  19 

30-D    1925  1  2 

Sec.     31-1 1922  4  19 

31-2     192.1  3  19 

The  average  lowering  on  the  live  w^ells  drilled  in  1921  w-as  23.3  feet 
for  the  tive-year  period. 

In  order  to  compare  these  results  with  those  of  shallow  wells,  the  rec- 
ords of  8  adjacent  wells  observed  by  the  Kern  River  Water  Storage  Dis- 
trict were  examined.  The  lowering  for  the  same  ])eriod  averaged  18 
feet.  The  average  lowering  in  township  27  south,  range  25  east,  from 
September.  1920,  to  September,  1925,  was  25.5  feet.  These  results  indi- 
cate that  these  deeper  wells  have  shown  similar  effects  to  those  shown 
by  the  shallow  wells. 

The  logs  of  the  deeper  wells  show  strata  of  considerable  thickness 
of  clay.  I'ercolation  of  water  through  such  strata  Avould  occur,  if  at 
all  relatively  slowly.  However  comparisons  of  the  logs  of  these  wells 
show  no  similar  or  connected  clay  strata  occurring  in  the  different 
wells.  Such  clay  strata  if  not  continuous  would  not  prevent  com- 
mingling of  the  water  in  the  upper  and  lower  strata  and  it  is  considered 
that  such  commingling  occurs. 

If  the  water  secured  from  the  deeper  strata  is  not  supplied  from  the 
canal  delivery  and  Poso  Creek  run-off,  it  would  have  only  a  limited 
replenishment.  Other  sources  of  supply  would  be  the  absorption  in 
foothill  areas  to  the  east,  which  would  be  very  limited  in  amount  due 
to  the  small  precipitation  received.  Deep  wells  have  the  advantage  of 
greater  percolating  area  and  give  more  discharge  with  less  draw^down, 
but  it  is  not  considered  that  they  secure  any  different  source  of  supply 
than  that  ol)tainrd  from  the  shallow  wells.  They  may  have  the  further 
advantage  tliat  by  drawing  from  deeper  strata  more  of  the  outward 
ground  water  movement  may  be  intercepted  for  use  within  the  area. 

The  character  of  the  ground  water  tiuctuations  is  illustrated  by  the 
hydrographs  of  typical  wells  in  Fig.  27.  Well  3-D-7  is  within  the  area 
receiving  canal  .sen'ice.  The  ground  water  responds  rapidly  to  adjacent 
irrigation,  the  rise  varying  from  25  feet  in  1922  with  heavy  irrigation 
to  zero  in  1924  with  no  iri-igation.  No  winter  rise  due  to  rainfall  or 
]-un-()rt'  in  Po.so  Creek  is  shown.  Except  for  the  effect  of  canal  irri- 
gation, the  ground  water  in  this  well  show's  a  relatively  steady  lower- 
ing at  the  rate  of  about  10  inches  per  month.  Such  lowering  would  be 
due  to  outward  gi-ound  water  movciiKmt  toward  tlu-  pumping  area 
near  Wasco. 


140 


Depart nieni  of  Public  Works. 


WELL  1-E-1.    North  of  McFarland,  east  of  pump  area. 


50  r 

55 

60 


♦  ♦ 

♦  ♦  ♦ 

♦  ♦ 

►  ♦•  « 

♦  ♦  /«a"  .  .  ■ 

— ■ 

^— 

1924 

1 

■1 

1926 



♦  ♦ 

♦  ♦  * 

♦♦!♦♦♦ 

♦    ♦ 

WELL  1-D-3.    Morthwest  of  McFarland  in  piimn  area. 


V 


45 

50 
55 
60 


♦  ♦  * 

♦  ♦ 

,19261 

*■♦♦ 

♦  ♦ 

►♦  ♦ 

J  925 
*  *  * 

•*- 1924 

^-^ 

J 

^ 

* 

*  ♦• 

*♦♦!♦♦ 

..*♦** 

1 


a 
Q 


WELL  l-C-1.     West  of  McFarland  and  west  of  pump  area. 


I 


JAN.      FEB.      MAR.     APR.     MAY      JUN.     JUL     AUG.     SEP.      OCT.      NOV.      DEC. 

LEGEND. 


1919 
1920 
1921 


1923 


1922     — ' '-.^''      1926 ■ 


I 


FIG.    28.    Hydrographs    of    typical    wells    in     McFarland    Area. 


(iround   ^V(^ter   Hcsources,  Southern   San   Joaquin   Valley.     141 

\\\.]\  -l-l)-o  is  .soiitliwest  of  S;iiaftor  within  the  puinpinfi;  area.  The 
loworingr  diirinji'  the  suimner  -with  a  rise  after  the  end  of  tlie  i)unii)- 
in{?  season  is  sliowii  for  all  years.  A  continuous  drop  from  year  to 
year  is  shown  for  each  year.  Tliere  is  a  somewhat  larger  lowering-  in 
1!»24  amnH2r). 

Well  .S-C-6  is  located  southwest  of  Waseo  in  the  pumping  area. 
Continual  lowering  is  shown  f lom  year  to  year.  Recovery  occurs  when 
pumping  decreases  during  the  winter  months,  but  in  no  year  covered 
by  the  records  has  the  reeovcry  been  equal  to  the  lowering. 

AVell  2-D-2  is  located  north  of  Wasco  in  an  area  receiving  some  canal 
service  and  adjacent  to  scattered  areas  of  pumping.  A  rise  occurred 
in  1020  and  1922,  some  lowering  in  1921  and  1928,  and  marked  lowering 
in  1921  and  1925.  This  well  is  about  2  miles  soutli  of  Poso  Creek, 
but  shows  no  response  to  flow  in  upper  Poso  Creek.  Lowering  con- 
tinues., during  the  Avinter  months.  Continual  movement  of  gi'ound 
water  through  this  area  is  indicated  with  little  increase  in  the  rate  of 
lowering  during  the  summer,  due  to  local  pumping.  A  rise  occurs 
whenever  there  is  adjacent  canal  irrigation,  but  such  rises  are  not  as 
marked  as  in  Well  3-D-7  which  is  nearer  to  the  main  canal  irrigated 
areas. 

Wells  1-P:-1,  l-D-3  and  1-C-l,  Fig.  28,  are  in  the  ^NlcFarland  area. 
Well  1-E-l  is  north  of  ^NIcFarland  and  east  of  the  pumped  area.  For 
the  period  covered  by  the  record  a  continual  and  relatively  uniform 
lowering  of  over  4  feet  per  yeai-  is  shown.  Well  l-D-3  is  WTst  of 
^ifcFarland  within  the  pumped  area.  A  similar  continual  lowering  is 
shown  with  the  added  etfect  of  summer  pumping.  Well  1-C-l  is  to 
the  west  and  although  only  78  feet  deep  fluctuates  widely  between  the 
summer  lowering  and  the  winter  recovery.  Less  tendency  toward 
continual  lowering  is  shown.  The  fluctuations  of  this  well  are  more 
nearly  representative  of  those  of  strata  under  pressure  than  of  surface 
water. 

The  lack  of  any  canal  delivei-y  in  1924  furnishes  an  opportunity  to 
observe  the  rate  at  wdiich  the  the  ground  water  lowered  by  outflow  in 
the  canal  area  under  the  Lerdo  and  Calloway  canals.  Wells  -were 
selected  which  were  also  sufficiently  to  the  east  of  pumping  areas  to  be 
unatfeeted  directly  by  such  pumping.  Ten  wells  averaged  to  lower 
at  the  rate  of  0.65  foot  per  month  in  1924.  Of  these,  7  wells  averaged 
to  lower  at  the  rate  of  0.5  foot  per  month  in  1925.  The  small  amount  of 
canal  delivery  in  1925  together  with  the  lower  ground  water  elevation 
probably  account  foi'  the  reduced  rate  of  lowering  in  1925.  A  rate  of 
lowering  of  0.6  foot  per  month  with  a  12.5  per  cent  drainage  factor 
represents  a  drainage  of  0.95  acre-foot  per  acre  per  year.  This  would 
appear  to  be  aliout  the  rate  of  outward  movement,  to  be  expected  to 
occui-,  from  the  higher  portion  of  this  area. 

The  preceding  discussion  is  considered  to  support  the  conclusion  that 
l)um|)ing  in  this  area  has  increased  until  the  draft  exceeds  the  present 
average  water  supply  so  that  continued  ground  water  lowering  is  to  be 
anticipated  ev«m  under  normal  conditions  of  water  sup])ly.  It  is  con- 
sidered that  the  main  source  of  ground  water  supply  in  this  ai-ea  i^ 
the  loss  from  canal  use.  Such  losses  are  largely  due  to  present  con- 
ditions of  use.  A  decrease  in  the  use  of  Avater  from  canals  per  acre 
irrigated  would  rcMliiee  the  additions  to  the  ground  water  from  such 


142  D(i><iilni()i{  of  Public   Wor'ks. 

sources  and  render  more  Hcute  the  ground  water  problems  of  this  area, 
unless  provision  is  nuide  for  the  irrigation  from  canals  of  sufficient 
additional  area  to  supply  tlic  iiround  water.  The  interest  of  all  users 
of  ground  water  in  the  conditions  of  canal  use  in  this  area  is  a  direct 
one.  While  Kern  River  may  be  able  to  furnish  an  adequate  water 
supply  for  this  area  if  properly  regulated,  under  existing  conditions 
only  continued  ground  water  lowering  can  be  anticipated. 


GROUND   WATER    IN    NORTHERN    KERN    COUNTY   AREA. 

The  Kern  Kiver  Water  Storage  District  does  not  extend  to  the 
northern  line  of  Kern  County.  Tliere  is  an  area  in  township  25  south 
which  is  outside  the  influence  of  conditions  within  the  storage  district'. 
Tlie  Shafter,  Wasco  and  McFarland  area  in  Kern  County  includes  the 
area  considered  to  l)e  affected  by  Poso  Creek  and  by  canal  ircigation 
from  Kem  River. 

The  only  direct  local  source  of  water  supply  for  the  northern  edge 
of  Kern  County  is  Rag  Gulch.  This  has  a  very  limited  and  irregular 
run-oft',  which  has  been  estimated  as  an  average  of  3500  acre-feet  per 
year.  During  the  normal  seasons  the  .surface  flow  does  not  reach  very 
far  into  the  valley.  In  1926  heavy  local  storms  resulted  in  run-off 
which  caused  damage  to  highways  and  railroads. 

The  pumping  draft  in  1921  was  estimated  as  9100  acre-feet.  This 
has  been  increased  since  that  time.  As  the  draft  materially  exceeds 
the  estimated  supply,  continued  lowering  is  to  be  expected  as  long  as 
the  present  draft  is  maintained. 

Wells  Kern  32  and  13,  Fig.  20  (shown  with  wells  in  White  Creek 
nrea)  are  typical  of  this  area.  Well  Kern  32  is  located  about  3  miles 
northwest  of  Delauo.  A  continuous  and  steady  lowering  is  indicated 
by  the  available  records  on  this  well.  The  rate  of  lowering  appears  to 
be  affected  but  slightly  by  the  character  of  the  individual  season.  Well 
Kern  13  is  located  five  miles  east  of  Delano  in  an  area  of  scattered 
pumping.  A  continued  and  rapid  lowering  is  shown.  The  ground 
water  in  this  area  is  relatively  deep. 

GROUND   WATER    IN    PIONEER   CANAL    AREA. 

This  includes  the  lands  along  the  Pioneer  Canal  and  irrigated  by  it. 
It  extends  from  Kern  River  to  Goose  Lake  Slough  in  township  30  south, 
ranges  25  and  26  east.  Canal  service  is  secured  from  the  Pioneer, 
James  and  Dixon  and  the  Johnson  canals.  In  addition  to  the  canal 
irrigated  area,  about  800  acres  are  irrigated  by  pumps. 

Ground  water  records  are  available  only  for  1924  and  1925.  In  1925 
a  total  diversion  of  11.800  acre- feet  was  used  for  the  irrigation  of  3470 
acres.  The  ground  water  rose  an  average  of  0.04  foot,  lowering  slightly 
in  the  western  portion  and  rising  in  the  eastern. 

In  addition  to  the  ground  water  supply  received  from  irrigation, 
some  movement  into  the  area  of  seepage  losses  from  Kern  River  below 
Pioneer  weir  may  occur.  ■Movement  may  also  take  place  from  the 
Rosedale  area.  The  available  data  do  not  permit  an  estimate  to  be 
made  of  the  draft  on  the  ground  w^ater  which  can  be  supported  in  this 
area,  although  it  is  larger  than  the  present  draft.  Supplies  now  received 


Ground   Water  Resources,  Southern  San  Joaquin   Valley.     143 

from  upper  areas  may  be  at  least  partially  intercepted  by  changes  in 
methods  there. 

Conditions  for  obtaining  good  yields  from  wells  vary.  In  the 
western  portion,  while  water  is  present  in  good  quantities,  the  close 
texture  of  the  water-bearing  material  makes  it  difficult  to  ol)tain  good 
yields  from  wells.  Five  plants  operated  in  1906  by  the  Kern  County 
Land  Company  on  their  IMcClung  Ranch  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
area  gave  an  average  discliarge  of  4.5  second-feet  each.  With  proper 
installations  wells  of  at  least  fair  discharge  should  be  obtainable  ii) 
nearly  all  of  this  area. 

Wells  have  been  drilled  recently  in  sections  21  and  28,  township 
30  south,  range  25  east,  by  the  Western  AVater  Co.,  which  supplies 
water  in  the  oil  fields.  These  are  adjacent  to  the  channel  of  Kern 
River.  Thej'  varied  from  105  to  455  feet  in  depth.  Some  coarse  sand 
and  gravel  was  encountered.    The  water  was  of  good  quality. 

GROUND  WATER  IN  VALLEY  TROUGH  AREAS  SOUTH  OF 

TULARE  LAKE. 

This  area  extends  from  Kern  River  to  Tulare  Lake.  It  extends  to 
the  areas  previously  discussed  as  tlie  Pioneer,  Rosedale,  Shaffer,  Wasco 
and  McFarland  and  the  White  and  Deer  Creek  areas  on  the  east  and 
to  the  hills  on  the  west. 

Some  ground  water  inflow  from  the  higher  adjacent  areas  on  the 
south  and  east  occurs.  Artesian  flow  has  been  obtainable  over  nearly 
all  of  this  area  in  the  past.  Artesian  conditions  existed  before  irri- 
gation began  so  that  natural  sources  of  the  artesian  supply  must  fur- 
nish at  least  a  portion  of  this  flow.  Available  records  do  not  permit 
a  determination  of  whether  irrigation  on  lands  to  the  east  has  affected 
the  pressure  strata  in  this  area  as  it  has  the  shallow  water  under  the 
canals. 

Ground  water  development  is  less  extensive  and  information  on  its 
fluctuations  is  less  complete  than  in  the  areas  to  the  east. 

Goose    Lake    Slough    Area. 

This  area  covers  the  lands  along  and  adjacent  to  Goose  Lake  Slough 
extending  from  the  Rosedale  and  Pioneer  areas  to  Goose  Lake.  There 
is  no  canal  irrigation  in  this  area.  About  5000  acres  were  irrigated 
from  artesian  flow  and  by  pumping  in  1920,  over  two-thirds  of  the  area 
being  pasture.     There  has  been  little  new  development  since  1920. 

The  soil  formation  is  such  that  percolation  does  not  return  to  the 
deeper  ground  water.  The  amount  used  from  artesian  flow  was  not 
determined.  However,  general  appearances  indicate  a  liberal  use. 
The  artesian  wells  are  from  500  to  800  feet  deep.  The  area  is  under- 
stood to  have  been  artesian  prior  to  canal  irrigation,  so  that  the  source 
of  supply  appears  to  be  at  least  partly  from  seei)age  from  Kern  River. 

There  are  no  deep  wells  on  which  continuous  readings  have  been 
secured  since  1920.  One  well,  1100  feet  deep,  lowered  1.5  feet  from 
1924  to  1925.  Six  welLs,  from  100  to  300  feet  deep,  lowered  an  average 
of  5.6  feet  in  the  five  years  from  1920  to  1925.  Twelve  wells  lowered 
an  average  of  1.7  feet  from  1924  to  1925.     These  amounts  of  lowering 


144 


Department  of  Puhlic  Works. 


;iie  hardly  more  tluin  might  l)e  expected  during  the  dry  years  of  this 
l)eriod.  As  the  larger  part  of  the  draft  comes  from  the  deeper  wells 
whose  source  of  rei)lenishment  ai)i)ears  to  be  in  areas  near  the  river 
in  which  pum})iny:  is -not  extensive,  there  does  not  appear  to  be  an 
overdraft  on  the  ground  water  in  this  area  under  existing  conditions. 
AVell  5-C-8,  Fig.  29,  is  typical  of  the  fluctuations  of  the  shallow  Avells 


WELL  5-C-8.     Near  Goose  Lake  Slough. 


I  ••J .'5^5 r^ 

I      I    -iv. 


-n 


C 

o 


a 


WELL  5-B-l.     Near  Bultonwilli)w. 


JAN.      FEB.     MAR.    APR.      MAY      JUN.      JUL.      AUG.     SEP       OCT*     NOV      DEC. 


LEGEND. 


1 920  — 

1921  ^' 

1922  --I--- 


1923  — ' 

1924  — ^ 

1925  ■ — ' 


1926 


FIG.    29.    Hydrographs   of  typical    wells    in    Goose    Lake    Slough    and 

Buttonwillow  Areas. 


in  this  area,  this  well  being  77  feet  deep.  The  lowering  in  1925  and 
3926  probably  reflects  the  less  seepage  flow  into  Goose  Lake  Slough  in 
the  Rosedale  area  due  to  the  lower  ground  water  there. 

AVells  300  to  500  feet  have  recently  been  drilled  in  sections  21  and  22, 
township  29  south,  range  24  east,  west  of  Goose  Lake  Slough.  Water 
of  good  qiiality  was  secured. 


Ground  VTater  Resources,  Southern  San  Joaquin  Valley.     145 

Buttonwillow  Area. 

This  represents  the  areas  between  the  East  and  West  Side  canals 
and  south  of  Wasco  Road.  Much  of  this  area  is  now  within  the  Buena 
Vista  Water  Storage  District. 

Only  limited  development  of  ground  water  ha.s  occurred.  Artesian 
wells  are  obtainable  and  have  been  used  to  some  extent,  mainly  for  stock 
watering.  Water  also  occurs  in  shallow  strata ;  the  water-bearing 
materials  are  generally  fine. 

Water  in  the  north  end  of  this  area  is  of  poor  quality.  The  line 
shown  on  JMap  No.  2  marks  the  general  division  between  the  areas  in 
which  waters  of  good  and  of  poor  quality  are  obtained.  This  division 
is  based  on  investigations  made  for  Mr.  J.  B.  Lippincott  in  1919,  the 
results  of  which  have  been  made  available.  Over  the  greater  portion 
of  the  areas  the  ground  water  is  of  suitable  quality. 

Well  5-B-l,  Fig.  29,  is  typical  of  the  fluctuations  under  the  East 
Side  Canal  in  this  area. 

Valley  Trough  South  of  Tulare  Lake. 

This  area  extends  from  the  Goose  Lake  Slough  and  Buttonwillow 
areas  on  the  south  to  Tulare  Lake  on  the  north  and  from  the  Shafter, 
Wasco  and  McFarland  and  the  White  and  Deer  Creek  areas  on  the  east 
to  the  w^est  side  of  the  valley.  No  canal  service  from  surface  sources 
is  received  and  the  ground  water  development  is  scattered.  The  wells 
are  mainl}^  deep  and  generally  artesian.  Some  wells  which  formerly 
flowed  continuously  now  flow  only  during  winter  months  of  light 
pumping  draft.  Flowing  wells  of  shallow  depth  have  been  secured 
in  some  parts  of  the  area. 

In  1920  about  5600  acres-  were  irrigated  in  the  portion  of  this  area 
in  Kern  County.  No  detail  canvass  of  the  area  has  been  made  since 
1920.  The  ncAv  development  has  been  less  than  in  the  main  pumping 
areas  to  the  east,  except  for  the  area  used  for  duck  club  purposes. 

In  addition  to  the  draft  for  local  use,  the  Alpaugh  Irrigation  District 
has  a  battery  of  wells  in  sections  27  and  28,  township  25  south,  range 
24  east.  This  consists  of  17  wells,  2  new  ones  having  been  added  in 
1926.  No  record  of  the  actual  draft  is  available.  These  wells  are 
pumped  during  the  irrigation  season,  the  water  lowering  to  depths  of 
about  30  feet.    The  wells  usually  flow  in  the  winter. 

There  are  also  plants  in  this  area  used  to  develop  water  for  use  in 
the  oil  fields.    No  record  of  the  amount  of  this  draft  is  available. 

The  wells  in  this  area  are  usually  about  500  feet  deep  with  the  lower 
300  feet  perforated.  If  perforated  above  this  some  artesian  pressure 
is  lost.  Wells  in  township  26  south  average  350  to  500  feet  in  depth. 
In  township  25  south  the  wells  are  deeper,  averaging  about  800  feet. 
The  wells  of  the  Alpaugh  district  at  Smyrna  average  900  feet  deep. 

There  are  12  wells  on  the  La  Hacienda  Ranch  in  Kings  County  in 
the  northern  portion  of  this  area  varying  from  900  to  1200  feet  deep. 
Most  of  these  Avells  are  perforated  below  550  feet  from  the  surface. 
Some  of  these  discharge  sufficient  gas  to  furnish  power  for  pumping. 
Several  of  these  wells  are  now  pumped  for  irrigation. 

10 — 4707G 


146  Department  of  Puhlic  Works. 

Records  of  4  wells  in  this  area  show  an  average  lowering  of  12 
feet  from  1920  to  1925.  Records  of  6  wells  show  an  average  lowering 
of  4  feet  from  1924  to  1925.  This  lowering  is  due  to  decrease  in  pres- 
sure rather  than  the  draining  of  soil  volume.  These  wells  are  relatively 
sensitive  to  the  draft  on  ad.jacent  wells.  Pumping  on  artesian  wells 
may  cause  other  artesian  wells  at  some  distance  to  cease  flowing. 

Tiiere  is  not  sufficient  use  of  ground  water  and  record  of  the  effect 
in  this  area  to  enable  the  extent  of  the  permissible  draft  to  be  estimated. 
Outward  movement  of  ground  water  apparently  occurs  in  all  adjacent 
areas  from  which  ground  water  slopes  into  this  area.  Part- of  these 
sources  are  natural  and  existed  prior  to  irrigation,  such  as  losses  from 
Kern  River  and  its  overflow;  part  is  artificial,  such  as  the  estimated 
outward  movement  from  the  Shaffer,  "Wasco  and  McFarland  area 
of  ground  water  supplied  by  canal  sources.  These  sources  of  supply 
are  apparently  in  excess  of  the  present  draft  in  this  area.  ITow  much 
more  draft  might  be  sustained  or  the  extent  to  which  additional  devel- 
opment nearer  the  sources  of  supply  may  intercept  water  now  reaching 
this  area  can  not  be  predicted  on  the  basis  of  information  now 
available. 

A  recent  development  in  the  northern  portion  of  this  area  has  been 
the  flooding  of  land  for  use  as  duck  ponds.  An  area  of  5000  acres  or 
more  mainly  in  township  25  south,  range  23  east,  and  township  26 
south,  range  23  east,  has  been  prepared  in  checks  and  equipped  with 
pumping  plants.  Several  areas  also  have  clubhouses.  Some  irrigation 
for  crops,  mainly  rice,  is  practiced.  The  principal  purpose  of  the 
development  is,  however,  indicated  by  the  signs  advertising  the  lands 
for  sale  or  lease  for  gun  club  use. 

AVhile  ground  water  development  in  this  area  has  not  been  sufifieiently 
extensive  to  determine  the  extent  of  flie  available  sup])ly,  there  is 
sufficient  knowledge  of  the  general  water  supply  conditions  and  the 
demand  for  irrigation  in  this  portion  of  the  San  Joaquin  Valley  as  a 
whole  to  justify  the  conclusion  that  there  is  no  water  available  for  non- 
beneficial  purposes.  Extensive  pumping  use  for  gun  club  purposes  will 
eventually  result  in  an  equivalent  reduction  in  the  supply  available  for 
irrigation.  Whether  pumping  for  duck  ponds  is  of  sufficient  benefit  to 
entitle  it  to  be  practiced  as  a  legal  right  is  a  matter  outside  the  scope 
of  this  report.  As  a  matter  of  public  policy  it  would  be  adverse  to 
the  public  interest  to  have  use  by  such  gun  clubs  interfere  with  or 
reduce  the  supply  available  for  agricultural  purposes. 


47076      1-27      3M 


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SCIENCES 
U8RARV 


PORTERVILLE 


LEGEND 

COUNTY   BOUNDARIES | 1 

ABE*  AND  DISTRICT  BOUNDARIES  - [«•— .^^— [ 

DIVISION   LINE    BETWEEN   GROUNDWATER  I    _, I 

OF     GOOD  QUALITY      AND      POOR  QUALITY  | I 

RAILROADS- 1 1 

RIVERS  AND  SLOUGHS -j -     "^^^ 

CONTOURS  OF  DEPTH  TO  _  KV^^' — fis^ 

GROUND  WATER  IN  FEET  K>---r°**-CH 


MAP    2 

DEPTH  TO  GROUND  WATER 

AS  OF   OCTOBER    1925 

IN 

SOUTHERN  SAN  JOAQUIN  VALLEY 


DIVISIONS  OF   ENGINEERING  AND  IRRIGATION 
AND  OF  WATER   RIGHTS 


s'-  E-iC;j 
■  --;sir 


1} 
i 


pt)RTERVIt.LE 


LEGEND 

COUNTY   BOUNOAHIES  ""|  "  ~l 

AREA  AND  DISTRICT  BOUNOAR'ES 

CANALS  -    

BAILHOADS      

BIVEflS  AND  SLOUGHS 1--====^       ~  I 

CONTOURS  OF  GROUND  WATER  IN  FEET {^'Xx^^    /^l 

r^.     i^ 

WELLS-  I J 


MAP  I 
GROUND  WATER  CONTOURS 


USG.S   DATUM 
AS  OF  OCTOBER,  1925 


SOUTHERN  SAN  JOAQUIN  VALLEY 


DIVISIONS  OF  ENGINEERING   AND   IRRIGATION 
AND  OF  WATER  RIGHTS 


SCALE   )N  MILES 


USBiav 


)1 


V'^Sd 


THIS   BOOK   IS   DUE  ON   THE   LAST   DATE 
STAMPED   BELOW 


BOOKS   REQUESTED  BY  ANOTHER   BORROWER 
ARE  SUBJECT  TO   IMMEDIATE   RECALL 


J 


jr  -^  c  !  " 

FI-B20  1988 

PHYS  SCI  LIBRARY 

JUN  0  7  1990 


PHYS  SCI  UBRARi; 

RE@ffitV!H>l9c 
SEP  1  9  1996 
APR  1  3  2000 


JAN  1  9  2000 
JAN  2  7  2000  REE'il 

\UG  2  8  2000  'X? 
RECEIVED 
,AU6  2  ii  2000 
PSL 


LIBRARY,   UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,   DAVIS 

Book  Slip-Series  458 


■^ 


,1 


1^ 


^. 


i 


/ 


3  1175  00671  2015 


PHYSICAL 

SCIOWIS 

L1B«AIW 


TC8E4- 


Pocket 


LIBRART 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CAUFOENXA 

DAVIS 

111583 


